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Elgin Independent School District last month earned its first Texas Teacher Incentive Allotment (TIA) validation, with 35 teachers receiving state designations that will give more than $1 million in funding for the district over the next five years, according to officials.
The validation announced Feb. 4 marks a milestone for the district, expected to receive an estimated $230,437 in funding this year and about $1,152,185 over five years. The designations are valid for five years and will be noted on teachers’ certifications, providing salary increases based on their designation level.
“This is a critical achievement for our district and one our entire community can be proud of,” Superintendent Jana Rueter said in a statement. “Becoming TIA-validated helps make Elgin ISD a destination district for educator recruitment and retention.”
District officials said 92% of awarded funds will go directly to teachers.
The validation was created under House Bill 3 and is designed to reward high-performing educators throughout the state with a pathway to earn higher salaries. The move came during a statewide teacher shortage still impacting districts today.
Among those recognized is Amanda Casarez, a middle school algebra teacher and department chair who earned an Exemplary designation.
“It’s just proof that what I’ve been investing my time and heart in is coming to light in this way,” Casarez said. “It feels very rewarding to finally get that acknowledgement … but despite the designation, my hard work is showing in the students’ performance.”
Casarez, who has taught at Elgin Middle School for nine years, said the award highlights student growth within her classroom. She credits a grading rubric she created that requires students to show their work and focus on daily speaking and writing.
“It’s just so amazing to see these kids cheer each other on every day and just see them excited,” she said.
Casarez said the recognition also reflects the benefits of teacher retention. She and a fellow algebra teacher at her campus were the only two educators there to receive the recognition.
“When we stick around and we continue to work together over and over again, we just get better and better,” she said. “I think teachers getting this designation will motivate other teachers to do better or want to come to our campus.”
Casarez said students quickly recognize when a teacher is fully committed, and that building relationships is often what breaks down barriers to learning.
“It takes hard work and it takes dedication … you have to be willing to put in the man hours and your heart has to be in it,” Casarez said. “When your heart is not in it, they feel it 100%.”
Awards aside, excellence in teaching is an ongoing pursuit, according to the Casarez.
“To be excellent at what I do is an everyday struggle,” she said. “It’s something that you’re always chasing and there’s still room for me to modify and improve.”
Of the 35 educators recognized, 14 earned Master status, placing them among the top 5% of educators statewide. Another 13 earned Exemplary, ranking in the top 20%, and eight became Recognized teachers, in the top 33% of Texas teachers.
“The progress we’ve seen, with many of our teachers now ranking among the highest performing in Texas, is a testament to their commitment to student achievement and their own professional growth,” Executive Director of Human Resources Sarah Farias said in a statement.
