More than 130 Amarillo Independent School District teachers are being recognized for excellence in the classroom, with the district announcing the results of its second year participating in the state’s Teacher Incentive Allotment (TIA) program. This initiative, created by the Texas Legislature in 2019, rewards outstanding teachers with performance-based designations—and in some cases, the opportunity to earn six-figure salaries.
In a district-wide celebration, Amarillo ISD honored 23 teachers who achieved the highest level of “Master,” 50 who were designated as “Exemplary,” and 63 who received the “Recognized” status. These distinctions reflect a combination of classroom observations and measurable student growth, both of which are key elements of the TIA’s rigorous evaluation process.
One teacher, Jonna Alexander of Palo Duro High School, moved up from Exemplary to Master Teacher after another year of strong student results in Algebra I.
“I wanted to cry from happiness, relief, and pride,” said Alexander. “I can give my students information and ask them to do certain things, but at the end of the day, they have to decide it’s important and actually do it—and they did. I am so proud of them.”
Alexander emphasized that the TIA program recognizes not just teacher effort, but real student success. “Growth is something that I’ve focused on throughout my teaching career,” she added. “At the end of the day, I want my students to have every opportunity to be successful and build confidence in Algebra I—and this program recognizes me and my campus for that success.”
The Teacher Incentive Allotment was created to address a growing concern in Texas and across the country: retaining high-quality educators, especially in historically underserved or high-needs areas. By tying financial incentives to actual classroom performance—and ensuring funding comes from the state rather than local budgets—the TIA helps districts reward impactful teaching without draining other resources.
According to Amarillo ISD officials, this is just the beginning. The district launched its TIA participation with a limited cohort of teachers, focusing on grades 4–8 math and language arts, as well as Algebra I and English II. But starting in 2026, pending approval from the Texas Education Agency, the program will expand to include all K–12 core subject teachers—making another 700 Amarillo ISD educators eligible for these distinctions.
Crucially, district leaders noted that teachers aren’t asked to take on additional tasks to qualify for the program. The designations are based on what teachers already do daily: educate and inspire students. Amarillo ISD follows a locally developed framework, in line with state requirements, to identify and support candidates for the TIA designations.
As the district continues to implement and expand the program, leaders hope it will not only elevate the teaching profession but also signal to the wider community the value and impact of great educators.
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