Big check day! 412 ECISD teachers earn Teacher Incentive Allotment awards

Ector County ISD leaders wrapped up Teacher Appreciation Week by delivering big news of some big checks coming to teachers who earned a designation in the state’s Teacher Incentive Allotment (TIA) program. The number of teachers and the amount of money awarded grew for the fourth straight year with 412 teachers earning more than $4.6 million compared to the 353 teachers and $3.1 million a year ago.  

This year the teachers represent 40 ECISD schools, and their individual awards range from $3,425 to $22,559.

Friday morning, Superintendent of Schools Dr. Keeley Boyer visited five schools and hosted an ECISD Live broadcast and media event at Blackshear Elementary where 16 teachers were recognized, 4 of them having earned the highest designation, Master level.

“This is one of the best days of the year,” said ECISD Superintendent of Schools Dr. Keeley Boyer. “We get to celebrate a lot of teachers, 412 of them. We are proud to see more of our teachers getting this recognition from the state each year. It shows that more of our teachers are having a positive impact on students.”

The Teacher Incentive Allotment was created by the Texas Legislature in 2019, as part of House Bill 3, to provide a realistic pathway for top teachers to earn six-figure salaries and to help attract and retain highly effective teachers at traditionally hard-to-staff schools. The allotment amount per teacher is based on the level of academic growth their students attained, teacher instructional performance, and the percentage of socio-economically disadvantaged students at their school.

There are three levels for which a teacher in Texas can qualify: Recognized, Exemplary and Master. In ECISD, 147 teachers are Recognized (compared to 175 a year ago), 149 are Exemplary (up from 128 a year ago), and 111 are at the Master level (up from 50 a year ago). The numbers show that not only are more teachers earning designations but teachers are improving, too, leveling up from Recognized to Exemplary to Master.

Teaching is in Samantha Hudson’s DNA. Her mom was an educator and both of her grandparents on both sides of the family were teachers. The 4^th grade teacher at Blackshear Elementary, leveled up two steps from Recognized to Master earning an incentive of more than $22,000. As she spoke to reporters after the presentation she said, “My heart is still racing. This feels amazing, it really is such an honor. It reminds me I make a difference in the lives of my kids.” She called the incentive “life changing” and plans to use it for a down payment on a new house.

Not only does a qualifying teacher receive the TIA incentive dollars, they also have the Recognized, Exemplary or Master designation placed on their teaching certificate. The designation remains in place for five years.

ECISD began the rigorous TIA application process in 2019. The teacher’s data is collected for one year, then verified by Texas Tech University and reviewed by the Texas Education Agency. The monetary awards are then dispersed the following year. In this fourth year of TIA payouts, eligible ECISD teachers are Kindergarten through 8th grade English Language Arts; Math, English I, English II, and Algebra I; PreK-4; 3rd grade through 8th grade Science, Biology, US History (8^th grade and high school), and Advanced Placement English III, English IV, US History, Government, Economics, Chemistry, Physics, and Biology . ECISD adds additional subjects to eligibility each year.

Staci Walton, history teacher at New Tech Odessa, earned a Master level designation. After receiving the news, she was emotional as she thanked her students and her mother.

“As I always tell you [students], we are not just individuals we are a…family," Ms. Walton said. "This is not possible without you. Thank you. And to my mother, thank you, thank you. This is an early Mother’s Day present.”

Thirty (30) teachers earned incentives of $20,000 or more. Five (5) schools have more than 20 teachers who earned incentives. The highest campus total is Murry Fly Elementary where the 22 teachers earned a combined total of $304,457.

“And this is not a gift,” Dr. Boyer added. “This is something these teachers earned with their hard work and dedication and the check goes directly to them. We are excited for them, proud of them, and thank them for serving students so well.”

Read more about Teacher Incentive Allotment in ECISD at https://bit.ly/3YCvf8D and more from the state at https://tiatexas.org/.

 

Austin Montessori

Larissa Andis, Recognized

Maria Costilla, Exemplary

Violeta Gonzalez Salazar, Exemplary

Courtney Hawley, Recognized

Lauren Johnson, Recognized

Guadalupe Portillo, Exemplary

Amy Richter, Master

Verenice Sevilla, Exemplary

Lori Stava, Recognized

Ivette Suchil, Recognized

Janet Villalobos, Recognized

Amanda Williams, Recognized

 

Barbara Jordan Elementary

Nichole Adams, Recognized

Casey Boswell, Recognized

Jennifer Gaule, Recognized

Ginny Hernandez, Recognized

Angie Kirk, Master

Jolynn Logan, Exemplary

Boney Martinez Suro, Recognized

Tanya Murray, Recognized

Taylor Neufeld, Recognized

Cynthia Rodgers, Exemplary

Glorida Salinas, Recognized

Nicole Specter, Recognized

 

Blackshear Elementary

Dora Ameyaw, Recognized

Nereida Benavidez, Exemplary

Jeanette Chavez, Exemplary

Catherine Christesson, Recognized

Cindy Corrales, Exemplary

Norman Galindo, Master

Alicia Gonzales, Master

Samantha Hutson, Master

Dave Machuca, Master

Brianna Moore, Exemplary

Dora Palma Silva, Exemplary

Ashley Redman, Exemplary

Beatrice Sosa, Recognized

Ingrid Tatis Martinez, Exemplary

Emilie Vigil, Exemplary

Marie Bel Zermeno, Exemplary

 

Blanton Elementary

Jessica Alba, Recognized

Minerva Chavez, Master

Traci Fuentes, Master

Kathleen Harty, Recognized

Quinesha Johnson, Recognized

Della Ornelas, Exemplary

Cailin Webster, Exemplary

 

Bonham Middle School

Samantha Baker, Master

Odunayo Bamisebi, Recognized

Patricia Brown, Recognized

Carlos Rabaneda Trave, Exemplary

Jasmine Taylor, Exemplary

Siara Zuniga, Recognized

 

Bowie Middle School

Da’niel Beauchamp, Recognized

Kimberly Borjon, Exemplary

Josefinal Cooper, Recognized

Serina Garcia, Recognized

Marissa Gordon, Recognized

Rexana Hughes, Recognized

Milton Hunt, Exemplary

Nathaly Moreno Melendez, Recognized

Monica Olivas, Master

Viviana Rivera, Recognized

Charmorri Spraglin, Recognized

 

Burnet Elementary

Melissa Johnson, Exemplary

Annette Martinez, Recognized

Wilma Ray, Recognized

 

Cameron Dual Language Elementary

Ruby Banuelos, Recognized

Grissel Camacho, Exemplary

Jennifer Hernandez, Master

Selsa Lerma, Recognized

Karina Ligon, Master

Imelda Loya, Exemplary

Jessica Martinez, Exemplary

Ramona Mata, Exemplary

Teri McLeod, Master

Maria Medrano, Exemplary

Nataly Molinar, Master

Griselda Muniz, Master

Marco Munoz, Exemplary

Cynthia Talancon Leal, Master

Diana Tavarez, Exemplary

Maribelle Vigil-Minyard, Recognized

 

Carver Early Education Center

Matthew Maxwell, Recognized

 

Crockett Middle School

Casey Alexander, Recognized

Dominique Avila, Recognized

Priscilla Castro Molina, Exemplary

Daniella Garcia, Recognized

Sandra Kerr, Recognized

Angelle Mundia, Exemplary

Rebecca Norris, Recognized

Marti Smith, Recognized

 

Dowling Elementary

Megan Bell, Recognized

Gabriel Chavez, Master

Anese Forsyth, Master

Sheryl Garcia, Master

Audriana Hernandez, Exemplary

Olga Hernandez, Recognized

Veronica Hernandez, Recognized

Mackinzie Johnson, Recognized

Whittney Neemar, Master

Kelly Pyron, Master

Amy Russell, Exemplary

Jennifer Tonoco, Recognized

 

E.K. Downing Elementary

Jose Francisco Urbano Moreno, Recognized

 

Ector College Prep Middle School

Marie Angeli Buted, Recognized

Mary Ramos, Master

 

Buddy West Elementary

Sarah Burton, Exemplary

Adriana Pamela Carmona Anchondo, Recognized

Gabriela Chavez, Exemplary

Marvin Cleveland, Recognized

Victor Galvan Guzman, Master

Nora Grijalva, Exemplary

Betsy Loya, Exemplary

John Lucio, Recognized

Karen McNerney Del Rio, Recognized

Elizabeth McNabb, Master

Mario Mendoza, Exemplary

David Notario-Brox, Recognized

Adelinda Ramos, Recognized

Lesslie Ronquillo, Recognized

Marisol Ronquillo, Master

Claudia Ruiz Arvizu, Master

Alexandra Sanchez, Master

Isabella Soto, Exemplary

Amanda Tijerina, Exemplary

 

Gale Pond Alamo STEAM Academy

Elizabeth Ashmore, Exemplary

Kelsa Bertand, Master

Kristina Carrasco, Exemplary

Erika Cobian, Recognized

Angela Friday, Exemplary

Tasha Guillen, Recognized

Christa Miller, Master

Jennifer Natividad, Exemplary

Henley Price, Recognized

Joselyne Sanchez, Exemplary

Ariam Solis, Recognized

 

G.H.W.B. New Tech Odessa

Lornalyn De Leon, Recognized

Yoana Picazo, Recognized

Staci Walton, Master

 

Goliad Elementary

Sulema Alaniz, Exemplary

Napoleon Armendariz, Exemplary

Alba Capdevila Miquel, Recognized

Meredith Chance, Exemplary

Mareia Delbosque, Exemplary

Virjinia Espinoza, Recognized

Anita McKay, Recognized

Juan Navarrete, Exemplary

Leslianne Prince, Exemplary

Ambrosia Rodriguez, Exemplary

Neftali Salgado, Recognized

Andrea Soto-Mesz, Recognized

Nancy Villanueva, Exemplary

 

Gonzales Elementary

Kayla McCloud, Recognized

Keri Rivas, Recognized

 

Hays STEAM Academy

Clarice Crisostomo, Exemplary

Elizabeth Guerra, Exemplary

Karla Guzman Penaflor, Master

Maloree Hinesly, Recognized

Monica Madrid, Recognized

Deborah Pina, Master

Mischel Pinon, Recognized

Monica Pinson, Exemplary

Erika Pocaterra, Master

Brianna Porras, Master

Vanessa Rivas, Exemplary

Sarah Rodriquez, Exemplary

 

Ireland Elementary

Michelle Alvarez, Recognized

Edward Corrales, Recognized

Alexis Lopez, Exemplary

Crystalina Nealy, Recognized

Nereida Nieto, Master

Christy Patrick, Exemplary

 

LBJ Elementary

Phyllis Faulkner, Exemplary

Kirsten Mobly, Exemplary

Madison Ross, Master

Brooke, Sparkman, Exemplary

Pamela Templin, Exemplary

Cynthia Williams, Master

 

Lamar Early Education Center

Arlene Denney, Recognized

Jennifer Merriman, Exemplary

 

L. Cavazos Elementary

Aaron Carrillo, Exemplary

Anna Garcia, Exemplary

Christi Nickels, Recognized

Windy Quilodran, Exemplary

Adriana Renteria, Recognized

Imelda Tarango, Recognized

Daisy Zamarripa, Recognized

 

Lee Buice Elementary

Claudia Arredondo, Recognized

Danielle Dameron, Recognized

Margarita Grimsley, Exemplary

Mabel Gutierrez, Recognized

Baylee Preskey, Exemplary

Dailynn Puente, Recognized

Wendy Ramirez, Exemplary

Tenille Reed, Exemplary

Kimberlie Snyder, Recognized

Stephanie Valerio, Exemplary

 

Milam Fine Arts Elementary

Lorena Carrasco, Exemplary

Stephanie Clark, Master

Dania Flack, Master

Enedina Lozano, Master

Gabriela Luna, Master

Tara Mathis, Exemplary

Rebecca Plymell, Master

Cristina Salamanca, Exemplary

Christy Starkes, Exemplary

Jasmine Valencia, Exemplary

Morayma Valverde, Exemplary

Annalisa Zapata, Exemplary

 

Murry Fly Elementary

Nohely Acosta, Exemplary

Glorida Cisneros, Exemplary

Myranda Clark, Master

Sylvia Feil, Exemplary

Gretna Flores, Recognized

Veronica Garcia, Recognized

Kimberly Green, Exemplary

Gabriela Harris, Exemplary

Myrna Hernandez, Master

Jacqueline Hernandez Garcia, Master

Elsa Melchor, Exemplary

Griselda Montes, Exemplary

Arely Montoya, Master

Alejandro Munoz, Recognized

Arely Ramirez, Master

Karen Reyna, Master

Jeanette Rodriguez, Master

Deisy Roman, Recognized

Kara Stribling, Master

Vanity Trujillo, Recognized

Sandrea Valenzuela Quezada, Exemplary

Memrey White, Master

 

Nimitz Middle School

Dana Batten, Master

Elizabeth Bell, Recognized

Emma Dominguez, Exemplary

Emma Hernandez, Exemplary

Nilda Lucas, Recognized

Selina Macias, Recognized

Katie Mata, Recognized

Melodi Rivera, Exemplary

Annabelle Rochin, Exemplary

Courtnee Simonds, Master

Hugo Paul Stierholz, Recognized

 

Noel Elementary

Ora Christian, Recognized

Angelica Davis, Recognized

Rhonda Ellington, Master

Maria Gonzalez, Exemplary

Bailey Haney, Master

Alesi Hernandez, Exemplary

Patricia Holguin, Master

Amanda Rodriguez, Recognized

Laura Roman, Exemplary

Bianca Sanchez, Master

 

OCTECHS

Magdeline Cook, Master

Danielle Gingras Jones, Recognized

Pamela Lopez, Recognized

Mark Perales, Master

Shelley Wagner, Recognized

 

Odessa Collegiate Academy

Anneliese Espinoza, Exemplary

Kelsey Martin, Exemplary

Pia Angeli Rosaldo, Master

Lydia Roundtree, Exemplary

 

Odessa High School

David Atkins, Master

Travis Cooper, Master

Joseph Donaldson, Master

Melissa Escalante, Exemplary

Kristina Garcia, Recognized

Elizabeth Hernandez, Recognized

Sandra Lopez, Exemplary

Kandace Lopez, Exemplary

Rochelle Manalastas, Master

Threena Margarette Mananquil, Master

Stephanie Marin, Exemplary

Milissa McCarty, Master

Tenesia Melendez, Exemplary

Amy Pena, Exemplary

Summer Percifield, Exemplary

Natalie Roberson, Recognized

Jinsi Shu, Exemplary

Megan Snyder, Exemplary

Yulia Tsay, Exemplary

Elise Wagner, Exemplary

Kristi Williams, Exemplary

Karen Wilson, Exemplary

 

Pease Elementary

Laurie Bruner, Master

Rocio Castillo, Exemplary

David Cupp, Recognized

Kelly Debouse, Exemplary

Michelle Delamater, Exemplary

Evelyn Frausto, Exemplary

Aida Garcia, Exemplary

Shadiana Haney, Master

Amanda Hernandez, Exemplary

Selena Holguin, Master

Julia Loera, Exemplary

Maria Rocio Luna, Master

Kristie Mendoza, Exemplary

Jaclyn Perrin, Exemplary

Maria Ramirez-Garza, Master

Patricia Romero Campillos, Recognized

Catherine Sharp, Recognized

Mayra Venegas Reynoso, Master

 

Permian High School

Randi Allison, Exemplary

Justin Armstrong, Exemplary

Janine Marie Bacolod, Exemplary

Chase Barron, Recognized

Ashauna Bell, Master

Everardo Bello, Master

Robert Brescia, Recognized

Kelcey Burrow, Recognized

Talaska Dominugez, Recognized

Norma Jean Espinosa, Exemplary

Austin, Fullmer, Exemplary

Danielle Garms, Exemplary

Rolando Gloria, Recognized

Candice Harding, Exemplary

Nicholas Harrison, Recognized

Vonda Leasure, Recognized

Jennifer Livesay, Master

Gerald Mabele, Master

Monica Navidad-Verdin, Exemplary

Timothy Okorie, Recognized

Matrix Jamine Ortiz, Exemplary

Kaylee Paz, Recognized

Marie Ramos, Recognized

Dawnna Talley, Exemplary

Majesty Trejo, Exemplary

Vanessa Vaughn, Exemplary

Vicente Villa, Exemplary

Christi Watson, Master

Robert Wills, Exemplary

 

Reagan Magnet Elementary

Andrea Armendariz, Recognized

Amelia Barnes, Master

Catalina Bobadilla, Master

Jennifer Carrasco, Exemplary

Connie Drager, Exemplary

Maria Fierro, Exemplary

Erin Franklin, Master

Debbie Gallemore, Exemplary

Abby Gann, Exemplary

Ruth Garcia, Recognized

Johana Gonzalez, Master

Ashely Herrington, Master

Patricia Holguin, Master

Jena Hopkins, Master

Melanie Key, Master

Brittany Looney, Exemplary

Martha Mancha, Recognized

Jasmin Rodriguez, Master

Benjie Rosaldo, Master

Teresa Speer, Master

Trinicia Watson, Master

Maricela Young, Exemplary

 

Ross Elementary

Rhonda Beaman, Master

Juliana Benzoni Denadai, Master

Andrea Berndt, Master

Catherine Caruso, Master

Jennifer Cooper, Master

Mae Gracida, Master

Stacy Hayse, Exemplary

Maddison Kennedy, Master

Amber Munoz, Exemplary

Beth Pittmon, Recognized

Candace Rey, Recognized

Cassandra Sandoval, Exemplary

Valarie Shreves, Master

Myrna Zuniga, Exemplary

 

Sam Houston Elementary

Cindy Almance, Exemplary

Shannon Beard, Exemplary

Alyssa Graft, Exemplary

Leslie Granado, Exemplary

Michelle Hernandez, Recognized

Janet Juarez, Recognized

Monique Lopez, Recognized

Marisol Rodriguez, Exemplary

 

San Jacinto Elementary

Mabel Boafo, Recognized

Kaylea Brooks, Master

Christine Carrillo, Master

Savannah Coley, Recognized

Margaret Dutchover, Master

Laura Garcia Smit, Recognized

Victoria Holguin, Master

Stephanie Martinez, Master

Diana Richardson, Master

Karla Ronquillo, Master

Andrea Salcido, Master

Kendra Salgado, Master

Klarissa Salgado, Master

Mikayla Williams, Recognized

 

Jami Gatewood, Special Education Teaching Services, Master

 

STEM Academy

Alenda Barrreall, Recognized

Dona Gunn, Recognized

Amanda Hart, Exemplary

Iva Hodges, Recognized

Roberto Martinez, Recognized

Nicole Olivas. Master

 

Wilson & Young Medal of Honor Middle School

Ruby Brown, Exemplary

Mary Carrasco, Master

Nayla Carrasco, Exemplary

Janet Chastain, Recognized

Sara Cox, Master

Julie Drainer, Master

Dollucy Grainger, Recognized

D'andra Herndricks, Exemplary

Jade Herrea, Recognized

Christina Lopez, Recognized

Crystal Mineo, Exemplary

Ronnie Neal, Recognized

Brad Repass, Recognized

Teri Richardson, Recognized

Jenille Shakes, Recognized

 

Zavala Elementary

David Caballero-Gonzalez, Master

Lizbeth Castillo, Recognized

Maribel Manzanares Espinoza, Recognized

Marcos Sembergman Gonzalez, Master

Consuelo Soto, Exemplary

Rebecca Tucker, Recognized