Ector County ISD recognizes 71 "Level Up" teachers for state incentive gains

Mike Adids, Ector County ISD’s Chief Communications Officer, introduced 71 teachers who advanced their state Teacher Incentive Allotment (TIA) designation at the Board of Trustees meeting on Sept. 16.

“The Teacher Incentive Allotment is a state program that rewards the most effective teachers with significant dollars,” Mike Adids said as he presented the group the district calls the “Level Up” teachers. Adids told trustees that last year ECISD TIA awards ranged from $3,425 to $22,559 and that 410 teachers received awards, with more than $4.2 million distributed districtwide.

District staff said the Level Up cohort includes teachers who moved from Recognized to Exemplary or from Exemplary to Master designations; designated teachers are also serving as mentors and coaches to help other educators attain designation. The district reported that student-data collection for TIA expanded from about 900 teachers last year to over 1,300 this year as more teachers became eligible, including additional Career & Technical Education instructors.

Board President Tammy Hawkins and other trustees acknowledged the recognition during the meeting; no action was required. The district said it is working to include Fine Arts teachers in next year’s TIA-eligible pool.