United Independent School District had a knock-it-out-of-the-park celebration of 181 teachers with new or higher Teacher Incentive Allotment designations at a special pre-game event at Uni-Trade Stadium on Tuesday.

TIA is a state-funded program that rewards outstanding educators. The designations bring the district total to 326 teachers and generate more than $5 million in teacher compensation. Tuesday’s celebration highlighted the extraordinary educators by bringing them out on the field before the Tecos game to honor them.

Superintendent Dr. Gerardo Cruz expressed his gratitude to the teachers.

“I want to thank you for the heart, passion and purpose you bring to our classrooms every day. I’m happy to share our continued progress in expanding the Teacher Incentive Allotment, a powerful way to recognize and reward your incredible impact,” Dr. Cruz said.

UISD Teacher Incentive Allotment Director Vania Magallanes said the event was a way to focus the district’s commitment to ensuring top-notch teachers and student outcomes are prioritized.

“Today is a big day, and we want our teachers to truly feel how deeply valued they are. This recognition is not easily earned, and the state is acknowledging the extraordinary impact they make every single day,” said Magallanes. “They deserve a night where it’s all about them.”

Principals and other administrators lined up with the teachers to offer their support. The event also included remarks by Associate Superintendent of Curriculum and Instruction Emma Leza.

For the 26-27 school year, more teachers will be eligible for TIA, potentially bringing the teacher compensation anywhere from $15 million to $18 million, according to Magallanes. She explained the designations are based on a full year of performance and student academic growth data.

“This initiative not only helps us attract, grow and keep great teachers but, most importantly, it ensures every student has access to an outstanding education,” Dr. Cruz said. “This is an exciting chapter for our A-rated school district, and I look forward to continuing this journey together because when teachers thrive, our students thrive.”

Among the teachers being celebrated were Lizbeth Ovando, a 3rd grade teacher at Bonnie Garcia Elementary School, and Eliza Carranco, an 8th grade teacher at Antonio Gonzalez Middle School.

This is the first year that Ovando qualifies for the TIA. She started teaching at age 20 and is entering her fourth year of teaching. She said she was thrilled with the designation and the recognition.

“I am super excited. We are very appreciative of United ISD and the events they are holding for us. I feel excited, I feel blessed,” she said. “I have learned a lot from my older coworkers. Without them, I couldn’t have done it and I have had the guidance of my administrators. I appreciate everything they have taught me. Combined with my newer teaching that I learned in other schools during student teaching is what’s helped me get to this moment. I really am grateful to everybody who has been part of my career to this day.”

Carranco, who began teaching in 1999 and comes from a family of educators, said earning a TIA designation is very exciting. “It’s like a vibe and the whole campus is abuzz. The ones who have it are like congratulations and the ones who are so close ask what did you do? So you start talking about it and you see the light,” said Carranco, who broke down crying when she received the news that she received the designation.

 

Teachers can earn an extra $3,000 to $32,000 in the TIA program. For many, the money earned is life-changing.

 

Ovando said it will help in her planning for important milestones - getting married, starting a family and buying a home.

 

But it’s more than just the money.

 

“The money is important, but the recognition is important,” Carranco said. “Along the journey, they say remember the why. Well, I wake up and sometimes the why is, I have to pay the bills. But if I stopped teaching, what’s going to bring the fulfillment that I have,” she added. 

 

“I wake up every morning and I think today is going to be better than yesterday. The kids feed me, and their energy is boundless, and if I have a crummy day, that’s ok because in 30 minutes, some kid tells me, ‘Good morning morning, teacher. How is your day?’ and it’s like wow. The switch went on,” Carranco said. “It’s not just the money. It’s the recognition that what we’re doing matters and we’re finally being acknowledged. We don’t just teach and we are more than just the title.”

United South High School teachers and their administrators celebrate their TIA designations at Uni-Trade Stadium on Tuesday, May 5

United ISD celebrating 181 teachers who received the TIA designations

United ISD celebrated 181 teachers before a Tecos game for their Teacher Incentive Allotment designations. TIA is a state-funded program that rewards outstanding educators.