TOP Teacher Program

Nine Tyler ISD teachers were surprised with a TOP Teacher distinction earlier this year. A TOP (Tyler Optimal Performance) Teacher is a teacher at one of our current TIA campuses who has met stringent criteria such as student growth metrics, teacher observation data, and student surveys.

The Teacher Incentive Allotment (TIA) is a crucial part of House Bill 3, dedicated to recruiting, supporting, and retaining highly effective teachers in all schools, with particular emphasis on high needs areas and rural schools. In addition to helping attract and keep effective educators in the classroom, this system permits Tyler ISD to identify more effective educators and provide incentives to teach at the most challenging campuses, increasing the equitable distribution of effective educators.

During Monday night's board meeting, all nine TOP teachers were informed of their designation level and monetary allotment according to an Approved Local Designation System. The teacher designee receives 70% of the allotment, the campus gets 20%, and the district gets the remaining 10%. For Tyler ISD, the monetary awards range from $6,396 to $23,320 annually.   

“By participating in the Texas Teacher Incentive Allotment, Tyler ISD possesses an incredibly innovative tool by offering teachers the opportunity to make thousands of additional dollars in salary,” Tyler ISD Superintendent Dr. Marty Crawford said. “Tied directly to continuous improvement of student achievement and our mission of Successful Student Outcomes, we celebrate this first cohort of teachers that saw tremendous student growth and look forward to those that choose to participate in the future.”

The nine TOP Teachers and their designations are as follows:

Rolando Alvarez, Orr Elementary School - Master Designation

Laura Elizalde Moran, Ramey Elementary School - Exemplary Designation

Maria Riggs, Austin Elementary School - Exemplary Designation

Ariadna Melendo Esteban, Ramey Elementary School - Recognized Designation

Emilee Kubara, Jones Elementary School - Recognized Designation

Jasmin Lopez, Ramey Elementary School - Recognized Designation

Marcela Galvan de Guzman, Ramey Elementary School - Recognized Designation

Litzia Roman Gonzalez, Orr Elementary School - Recognized Designation

Oralia Sydnor, Orr Elementary School-Recognized Designation

Tyler ISD's TOP teachers hope to encourage other colleagues to stay in the classroom at the most challenging campuses and strive for successful student outcomes.

For more information, please contact Jennifer Hines at 903-262-1064.