March 6, 2024 – More than 150 Amarillo ISD teachers are among the first in the Panhandle to earn Master, Exemplary or Recognized designations under Texas’ Teacher Incentive Allotment, along with $1.5 million in additional salary compensation from the state.
The Teacher Incentive Allotment (TIA), a provision of House Bill 3 which was signed into law by Governor Greg Abbott in 2019, establishes a performance system to evaluate and compensate teachers. The TIA creates state-funded incentives to help school districts recruit, retain and reward teachers by providing an accessible pathway to a six-figure salary, without using local school district dollars. The TIA reserves specially designated state money for specially designated high-performing teachers.
This week, the District celebrated 24 Master teachers, whose designation represents the top one percent of AISD teachers at this time and the top five percent in the state, 59 Exemplary teachers and 71 Recognized teachers.
To determine the TIA designations, teacher performance is evaluated using metrics for teacher observation and student growth. The TIA program requires nothing new or extra from teachers who choose to participate. Each TIA school district in Texas must have a locally-developed designation plan that provides the framework for which teachers will qualify, and the timing of the designations. Any AISD classroom teacher in an eligible group can be put forth for the designation, regardless of years of experience.
AISD teachers are already the area’s highest earning, and now, along with a teacher’s special designation comes the reward of additional yearly salary compensation of approximately $3,000 to $28,000 for the next five years. The TIA and the awards for designated teachers are funded entirely by the state and no local school district dollars are used. The TIA funding formula prioritizes high needs and rural campuses.
TIA Master Teacher Chuck Jones, who teaches 5th grade math at Wolflin Elementary, says teachers have a tough job and the TIA designation is important for two reasons. “I’ve been teaching a long time and teaching was easier in the 80s for a myriad of reasons. It’s hard work and it’s easy to get burned out when you’re a teacher who really cares and wants to do well. The TIA program does two things. The money is a game-changer in a lot of ways. But, to me, the understanding that someone realizes I’m busting my gut here is really special,” he says.
TIA designations remain in place for five years, though any teacher rated Exemplary or Recognized could earn a higher designation the following year. Each year, additional eligible teacher groups will be phased into the evaluation process.
Amarillo ISD TIA-Designated Teachers
AMARILLO HIGH
Exemplary:
- Christian Roldan
- Emily Roberts
- Erin Carlile
- Julia Gregoris Tittle
- Kathy Aufleger
- Kelsey Hamilton
Recognized:
AUSTIN MIDDLE
Exemplary:
Recognized:
AVONDALE ELEMENTARY
Exemplary:
- Melissa Davis
- Teresa Brinson
Recognized:
BELMAR ELEMENTARY
Exemplary:
- Elizabeth Blackwell
- Laura Meier
BIVINS ELEMENTARY
Master:
Exemplary:
Recognized:
- Catherine Thomason
- Kim Hargrove
BONHAM MIDDLE
Exemplary:
- Jennifer Smith
- Sarah Stocker
Recognized:
- Colby Kirkland
- Julie Elston
- Shannon Bender
- Veronica Boatman
BOWIE MIDDLE
Exemplary:
- Jaime Favela
- Jeremy Moreno
Recognized:
- Alicia Ruiz
- Debbie Corona
- Katrina Evans
- Priscilla Becerra
- Seth Trammell
CAPROCK HIGH
Exemplary:
- Bonnie Wulfman
- Ileana Jennings
Recognized:
- Christi Wheeler
- Kali Purselley
CORONA DO ELEMENTARY
Master:
Recognized:
EASTRIDGE ELEMENTARY
Exemplary:
Recognized:
- Hanna Perky
- Jayson Hickott
EMERSON ELEMENTARY
Recognized:
FOREST HILL ELEMENTARY
Master:
Exemplary:
Recognized:
GLENWOOD ELEMENTARY
Recognized
- Adriana Diaz
- Josephine Valdez
- Juliet Cervantes Campbell
- Trinidad Contreras
HOMEBOUND
Exemplary:
HOUSTON MIDDLE
Exemplary:
Recognized:
HUMPHREY’S HIGHLAND
Master:
Exemplary:
- Karla Hill
- Lilia Arce
- Melissa McWilliams
Recognized:
- Dolores Hernandez
- Sergio Esparza
LAMAR ELEMENTARY
Master:
- April Carrasco
- Jamie Gross
- Reagan Rittenberry
Recognized:
LANDERGIN ELEMENTARY
Master:
- Courtney Nelson
- Makaylie Dunning
LAWNDALE ELEMENTARY
Recognized:
LORERNZO DE ZAVALA MIDDLE
Master:
- Robbie Seymour
- Tara Brown
Exemplary:
- Kara Gant
- Summer Hazel
- Tina Russell
- Trey Hicks
Recognized:
MANN MIDDLE
Master:
Exemplary:
- Holly McClure
- Jennifer Foster
Recognized:
- Danica Hannah
- Dominique Hamilton
- Jill Cocroft
MESA VERDE ELEMENTARY
Recognized:
OAK DALE ELEMENTARY
Master:
- Priscilla Moore
- Quincy Curtis
Exemplary:
- Aimee Labriola
- Caitlin Gloria
- Rikki Tucker
Recognized:
OLSEN PARK ELEMENTARY
Master:
Exemplary:
Recognized:
PALO DURO HIGH
Master:
Exemplary:
- David Willis
- Elizabeth Ingham
- Jonna Alexander
- Robin Hinnant
Recognized:
- Anousone Phimphilavong
- Celeste Lambright
PARAMOUNT TERRACE ELEMENTARY
Master:
PLEASANT VALLEY ELEMENTARY
Master:
Recognized:
RIDGECREST ELEMENTARY
Recognized:
- Emily Beyers
- Jason Maluy
- Kellie Renner
- Madolyn Greene
ROGERS ELEMENTARY
Exemplary:
- Mayra Curiel
- Melissa Clark
Recognized:
SAN JACINTO ELEMENTARY
Recognized:
SANBORN ELEMENTARY
Exemplary:
- Billie Chacon
- Jose Hernandez
- Kari Gonzalez
- Roxanne Mares
- Veronica Ramirez
Recognized:
- Jana Briones
- Makenzie Sandefer
- Monica Porcari
SLEEPY HOLLOW ELEMENTARY
Exemplary:
- Erica Barton
- Jessica Winks
- Shelley Singleton
Recognized:
- Calli Ward
- Melani Galindo
- Rebecca Clarke-Horn
SOUTH GEORGIA ELEMENTARY
Exemplary:
Recognized:
- Julie Huntley
- Ulises Saucedo
SOUTH LAWN ELEMENTARY
Recognized:
TASCOSA HIGH
Recognized:
- Emily Mooney
- Scott Henderson
TRADEWIND ELEMENTARY
Exemplary:
Recognized:
- Angela Norman
- Casandra Sabers
TRAVIS MIDDLE SCHOOL
Master:
- Amy Garcia
- Kiana Girby
- Tabatha Seibel
Exemplary:
- Andrew Perez
- Cari McCoy
- Ciara Schaub
- Connie Lee
- Kasey Greene
Recognized:
- Erica Sirmon
- William Wall
WESTERN PLATEAU ELEMENTARY
Exemplary:
- April Mason
- Brianne Adams
- Melanie McNutt
Recognized:
- Emily Stowers
- Jessica Williamson
WHITTIER ELEMENTARY
Recognized:
WILLS ELEMENTARY
Recognized:
WINDSOR ELEMENTARY
Master:
Recognized:
WOLFLIN ELEMENTARY
Master:
- Caley Carter
- Charles Jones
WOODLANDS ELEMENTARY
Recognized:
- Beverley Fuller
- Desairae Witt
- Kelly Wilson
- Kristi Green
Each TIA-designated teacher received the news of their achievement in a special video message from Superintendent Doug Loomis, including this message for Master Teachers (Facebook post opens in a new window).
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