This program provides a pathway to financially recognize top teachers and serves as a great opportunity to honor the hard work of our Seguin ISD teaching staff. Teachers can be recommended for a distinction based on both teacher observation and student growth data. If the district's locally approved system is validated, teachers are then rewarded a TIA allotment in addition to their current teacher salary. Any funds allotted are credited in the Teacher Retirement System and will be used in retirement benefit calculations. SISD will receive an annual allotment for each eligible designated teacher employed. Allotments are based on the teacher’s designation level and campus of employment, with greater funding for high-needs and rural campuses.
SISD will go through a two-step application and approval process spanning three full school years. TEA evaluates local designation systems at both stages to ensure statutory compliance, validity, and reliability. In partnership with Texas Tech University (TTU), TEA annually monitors the quality and fairness of local designation systems.
There are two pathways available to teachers to earn a Teacher Incentive Allotment (TIA) distinction. One pathway will be through SISD’s local designation system, which includes performance standards for T-TESS and student growth outcomes. An alternative path to a TIA Recognized designation is through National Board Certification for Professional Teaching Standards.
Designations Overview
Designations are distinctions awarded to highly effective teachers. There are three levels of designation: Recognized, Exemplary, and Master. Designations are awarded to teachers through SISDs local designation system. Teachers with an active National Board certification may automatically be designated as Recognized by the Texas Education Agency (TEA).
Designations:
Master Teacher: Indicates the teacher has achieved an appraisal and student growth
performance that places them in a level with the top 5% of teachers statewide.
Exemplary Teacher: Indicates the teacher has achieved an appraisal and student growth performance that places them in a level with the top 20% of teachers statewide.
Recognized Teacher: Indicates the teacher has achieved an appraisal and student growth performance that places them in a level with the top 33% of teachers statewide.