Wednesday was one of the best days of the year because we were able to award 8 of our teachers with the first TIA checks in the history of Fairfield ISD. The Teacher Incentive Allotment was created to reward outstanding teachers in Texas. Teachers are measured by a combination of their student growth scores and their performance evaluations. In our first year being accepted in the program, our plan started with STAAR tested subjects. We had 6 teachers earn distinctions for their student growth scores last year on STAAR. The State creates three different distinctions that teachers can be in (Recognized, Exemplary, and Masters). School districts and schools within the district fall into slightly different funding amounts for each of these categories. On average, in Fairfield, a Recognized teacher will earn $6,555, a Exemplary teacher will earn $13,111, and a Master teacher will earn $23,851. Once a teacher earns a distinction, they are guaranteed that amount for 5 years (initial, plus next 4), but they can requalify in subsequent years and even go up a level (or two) and requalify for 5 years at THAT level. Overall, we gave out at total of $75,580 to these teachers.
Our Local TIA plan can be adjusted each year and this year our plan includes other core content areas beyond just those who are part of the STAAR testing. We expect to have more teachers qualify next year, and even more the following year.
The following teachers earned distinctions this year:
Shannon Block - 5th Grade Math - Recognized Distinction
Nanceen Hoskins - JH English Language Arts - Recognized Distinction
Jill Schick - 8th Grade Math - Exemplary Distinction
Katie Wade - Biology - Recognized Distinction
Coach Joel Kuehl - Algebra I - Recognized Distinction
Gay Lynn Swan - Algebra I - Recognized Distinction
In addition, we have two teachers who were new to our district this year, but earned distinctions in their previous districts.
Sarah Block - 5th Grade Science - Masters Distinction
Coach Kimberly Vargas - 6th Grade English Language Arts - Recognized Distinction
