Capping off Teacher Appreciation Week, Ector County ISD instructors received some large checks — in more ways than one — through the Teacher Incentive Allotment.
The checks distributed were oversized, but they were also fairly large, ranging from $3,351 to $20,328.
The Teacher Incentive Allotment was created by the Texas Legislature in 2019, as part of House Bill 3, to provide a realistic pathway for top teachers to earn six-figure salaries and help attract and retain highly effective teachers at traditional hard-to-staff schools, a news release said.
The allotment amount per teacher is based on the level of academic growth their students attained, teacher instructional performance and the percentage of socio-economically disadvantaged students in their school, the release detailed.
At a news conference Friday at Wilson & Young Medal of Honor Middle School, Superintendent Scott Muri said ECISD teachers earned right at $2.4 million in the state funds.
“This year, 258 teachers earned collectively $2.4 million and today we will be recognizing those teachers at 38 schools in ECSD that have teachers earned the money,” Muri said.
Before a gym full of students, eight teachers were recognized in person and two others will also be celebrated who couldn’t be there, Julie Drainer and Karen Vicory.
There are three levels of discretion in the Teacher Incentive Allotment — recognized, exemplary and master teacher. The master teacher would receive the highest amount of money.
The money can be used for whatever the teacher wants and they will receive it in June.
“When we honor teachers, the kids feel honored as well. Teachers aren’t effective on their own. They’re effective because of the team that works with them and so we celebrate the kids that are a part of this journey with teachers and then the administrators and the support system as well. But again, kids love it when their teachers are valued and appreciated,” Muri said.
Science teacher Jorge Molinar said it was awesome that teachers are finally being awarded for their hard work.
Math teacher Sara Cox said it’s a really wonderful reward for your hard work paying off.
“It really can’t happen without a great team, and of course, great kids. I’ve just been very blessed to be at some really good campuses,” Cox said.
Rocky Phillips, who teaches kindergarten, and Beth Pittmon, who teaches second grade, at Downing Elementary, received $5,047.20 each.
“I feel very blessed and just very grateful that our hard work, my kiddos’ hard work, and our hard work together has paid off,” Pittmon said.
She added that she was very surprised. This is her 14th year teaching with ECISD and she has been at Downing since it opened in 2015.
Phillips said it was amazing.
“I think it creates opportunities for people to work harder for our kids and to be rewarded for their hard work,” she added.
She, too, was surprised by the financial award.
Phillips is in her 12th year of teaching and has been at Downing for five years.
Last year, after she got the Teacher Incentive Allotment, it made her refine her teaching to make sure she was meeting the needs of all students, especially the ones who were higher level.
“Sometimes we always focus on those lower ones and so it kind of made me realize they deserve just as much hard work from me as the ones that are lower. I really started looking at my numbers a whole lot different the first time I got it,” Phillips said.
Audrey Carrasco, who is teaching third grade at San Jacinto Elementary, received a check for $20,328.30. She is at the master teacher level.
Carrasco said it was phenomenal to receive the check. Last year, it was a little less.
She has been in education for 17 years and she teaches third grade. Most of her years have been with ECISD, but she has also taught at Kermit and Midland.
“This check was for my second-graders from last year,” Carrasco said.
She wasn’t surprised by her award.
“Honestly, I maintain high expectations and they have the capability to do it. I was honestly looking for better data. I expect good data this year from my third graders, but that has a lot to do with me moving up to a testing grade level from last year,” Carrasco said.
She added that the recognition makes her want to work harder.
“It’s not really necessarily the money, it’s just the kids … and for them to understand that if I can meet my goals, they can meet their goals, too,” Carrasco said.
