This week, South San Antonio ISD Superintendent Mr. Yzaguirre alongside the District Administrative Staff, designed a significant surprise for teachers across all campuses, celebrating their recognition under the Teacher Incentive Allotment (TIA) Program by the Texas Education Agency (TEA). The TIA Program is designed to identify and reward top-performing teachers in Texas school districts, aiming to recruit, support, and retain highly effective educators who exemplify our district's standards of excellence.

South San Antonio ISD was awarded over $1,000,000 in incentive allotments, benefiting 91 teachers in our district. The program's primary objective is to prioritize educators, incentivizing their continued commitment while aligning campuses with the district's mission and vision initiatives.

Teachers eligible for the TIA can earn one of three designations: Recognized, Exemplary, or Master. The total incentive allotment considers three factors: teacher designation level, campus socioeconomic status, and campus rural status. These awards will be distributed annually for the next five years.

Our district, recognizing the importance of valuing our staff and administration, planned a special surprise for our deserving teachers.  Superintendent Mr. Yzaguirre, the Executive Leadership Team, supporting administrative staff, campus principals, along with the South San Antonio High School Band organized a secret school assembly at each campus, to honor all 91 teachers individually with this significant achievement. 

The Bobcat and Cougar Mascot created a grand entrance rallying the students to boost morale for the teachers, while the South San High School Band energized the crowd with their music.

Unaware of the surprise, the teachers listened as Superintendent Mr. Yzaguirre opened the assembly with an inspiring, uplifting speech that touched the hearts of our students and staff. 

“I thank you for the dedication and growth you have shown our district all while keeping our students on the right track of their learning journey” Mr. Yzaguirre expresses. 

Mr. Yzaguirre then reveals the grand surprise, leaving teachers overwhelmed with joy and excitement, marking a memorable moment for our district. Our teachers are presented with flowers and gift bags, alongside their grand allotment incentive that reflects their hard work and dedication to our students. 

The Texas Teacher Incentive Allotment recognizes the following: 

 

Hutchins Elementary School: 

Recognized Recipients: 

Blanca Aguirre, 4th grade teacher, was presented with an award of $4,656.40

Irma Campos, 1st grade teacher, was presented with an award of $4,656.40

Sally Linares, 2nd grade teacher, was presented with an award of $4,656.40

Destiny Pena, 3rd grade teacher, was presented with an award of $4,656.40

Samantha Serrata, 3rd grade teacher, was presented with an award of $4,656.40

Maria Trevino, 2nd grade teacher, was presented with an award of $4,656.40

Exemplary Recipients: 

Elvia Gonzalez, Pre-K teacher, was presented with an award of $9,313.50

Jenny Lopez, Kinder teacher, was presented with an award of $9,313.50

Rosemary Martin, 5th grade teacher, was presented with an award of $9,313.50

Anel Valdes, 3rd grade teacher, was presented with an award of $9,313.50

Master Recipients: 

Juanita Veloz, 5th grade teacher, was presented with an award of $16,921.80

Meagan Garcia, 5th grade teacher, was presented with an award of $16,921.80

Annalisa Martinez, 4th grade teacher, was presented with an award of $16,921.80

Sarah Ollerbidez, Pre-K grade teacher, was presented with an award of $16,921.80 

April Torres, 4th grade teacher, was presented with an award of $16,921.80

 

Roy Benavidez Elementary School: 

Recognized Recipients:

April Burkett, 3rd grade teacher, was presented with an award of $4,692.80

Jesus Cedillo, 5th grade teacher, was presented with an award of $4,692.80

Veronica Flores-Hernandez, 5th grade teacher, was presented with an award of    $4,692.80 

Dominique Foegelle, 2nd grade teacher, was presented with an award of $4,692.80

Abygail Garcia, 3rd teacher, was presented with an award of $4,692.80

Cecilia Garza, Kinder teacher, was presented with an award of $4,692.80

Cristella Gutierrez, Pre-K teacher, was presented with an award of$4,692.80 

Megan Moncayo, 2nd grade teacher, was presented with an award of $4,692.80

Melisa Olazaran, Kinder teacher, was presented with an award of $4,692.80

Exemplary Recipients:

Jo Ann Contreras, 1st grade teacher, was presented with an award of $9,385.60

Aurora Rhodes, 3rd grade teacher, was presented with an award of $9,385.60

Cynthia Soto, 3rd grade teacher, was presented with an award of $9,385.60

Master Recipients: 

Graciela Alvarado, Pre-K teacher, was presented with an award of $17,042.90

Ashley Cantu,  Pre-K  teacher, was presented with an award of  $17,042.90

Melissa Garcia, Kinder teacher, was presented with an award of $17,042.90

 

Neil Armstrong Elementary School: 

Recognized Recipients:

Guadalupe Baer, Kinder teacher, was presented with an award of $4,799.20

Frances Losoya, Kinder teacher, was presented with an award of $4,799.20

Salena Sanchez, 4th grade teacher, was presented with an award of $4,799.20

Master Recipients:

Renee Haines, Pre-K teacher, was presented with an award of $17,397.80

Lucia Hernandez, Pre-K teacher, was presented with an award of $17,397.80

Katheryn Springhart, Pre-K teacher, was presented with an award of $17,397.80

 

Five Palms Elementary School: 

Recognized Recipients:

Luana Hartwell, 1st grade teacher, was presented with an award of $4,978.40

Daniel Keller, 4th grade teacher, was presented with an award of $4,978.40

Master Recipients:

Francisco Galdeano, 3rd grade teacher, was presented with an award of $17,994.90

 

Palo Alto Elementary School: 

Recognized Recipients:

Angelica Aguilar, 4th grade teacher, was presented with an award of $5,131.70

Erica Calderon, 3rd grade teacher, was presented with an award of $5,131.70

David Gonzalez, 4th grade teacher, was presented with an award of $5,131.70

Sydney Magallanez, 5th grade teacher, was presented with an award of $5,131.70

Juan Montalvo, 1st grade teacher, was presented with an award of $5,131.70

Rosa Ramey, Spec. Ed. teacher, was presented with an award of $5,131.70

Connie Wolf, Pre-K teacher, was presented with an award of $5,131.70

Exemplary Recipients: 

Lindsy Rangel, Pre-K teacher, was presented with an award of $10,264.10 

Master Recipients:

Patrick Granado, 4th grade teacher, was presented with an award of $18,506.60

 

Miguel Carrillo Jr. Elementary School: 

Recognized Recipients:

Elaine Maldonado, 1st grade teacher, was presented with an award of $5,432.00

Maria Ramirez, 5th grade teacher, was presented with an award of $5,432.00

Juan Ramirez, Pre-K teacher, was presented with an award of $5,432.00

Ruth Rosas, Kinder teacher, was presented with an award of $5,432.00

Exemplary Recipients:

Robin Cantu, Kinder teacher, was presented with an award of $10,863.30

Maria Espinoza, 3rd grade teacher, was presented with an award of $10,863.30

Kelsey Flores-Ozuna, Pre-K teacher, was presented with an award of $10,863.30

Master Recipients: 

Elizabeth Mejia, 3rd grade teacher, was presented with an award of $19,506.20

 

Price Elementary School: 

Recognized Recipients:

Guadalupe Alvarez, 2nd grade teacher, was presented with an award of $5,446.00

Angelica Hernandez, 4th grade teacher, was presented with an award of $5,446.00 

Monica Hune, 3rd grade teacher, was presented with an award of $5,446.00

Dulce Marines, Pre-K teacher, was presented with an award of $5,446.00

Lorena Paredes Hernandez, Pre-K teacher, was presented with an award of $5,446.00

Vanessa Saldana, 4th grade teacher, was presented with an award of $5,446.00

Christina Zertuche, 5th grade teacher, was presented with an award of $5,446.00

Exemplary Recipients: 

Gloria Galvan, 4th grade teacher, was presented with an award of $10,892.00

Dominga Sanchez, 5th grade teacher, was presented with an award of $10,892.00

Master Recipients: 

Lisa Garcia, 5th grade teacher, was presented with an award of $19,553.80

 

Frank Madla Elementary: 

Recognized Recipients:

Paul Cryder, 5th grade teacher, was presented with an award of $5,608.40

Naomi Esparza, 1st grade teacher, was presented with an award of $5,608.40

Raul Flores, 3rd grade teacher, was presented with an award of $5,608.40 

Amanda Galloway, 4th grade teacher, was presented with an award of $5,608.40 

Holly Pacheco, 3rd grade teacher, was presented with an award of $5,608.40

Vanessa Rocha, Kinder teacher, was presented with an award of $5,608.40

Priscilla Navarijo, 5th grade teacher, was presented with an award of $5,608.40

Exemplary Recipients: 

Laura Mancha, 4th grade teacher, was presented with an award of $11,216.80

Master Recipients:

Carolina Castillo, Pre-K teacher, was presented with an award of $20,094.90

Rosina Orozco, Pre-K teacher, was presented with an award of $20,094.90

Monica Sandoval, Pre-K teacher, was presented with an award of $20,094.90

 

Robert Zamora Middle School: 

Recognized Recipients:

Lydia Diaz, 7th grade teacher, was presented with an award of $4,799.20

Abigail Moncivais, 6th grade teacher, was presented with an award of $4,799.20

Exemplary Recipients:

Robert Blankenberg, 8th grade teacher, was presented with an award of $9,598.40

Lisa Roque, 8th grade teacher, was presented with an award of $9,598.40

Nicole Stolte, 8th grade teacher, was presented with an award of $9,598.40

 

Alan B. Shepard Middle School: 

Recognized Recipients:

Joanna Almanza, 8th grade teacher, was presented with an award of $5,030.20 

 

Dwight Middle School: 

Recognized Recipients:

Kimberly Casanova, 6th grade teacher, was presented with an award of $5,413.10

Alyssa Cruz, 7th grade teacher, was presented with an award of $5,413.10

Joel Luna, 6th grade teacher, was presented with an award of $5,413.10

Christina Ramirez, 6th grade teacher, was presented with an award of $5,413.10

Priscilla Williams, 8th grade teacher, was presented with an award of $5,413.10

 

South San High School and West Campus High School: 

Diana Franchini, 9th grade teacher and recognized recipient, was presented with an award of $4,925.20

Natividad Salazar, 10th grade teacher and recognized recipient, was presented with an award of $4,925.20 

 

The Texas Teacher Incentive Allotment acknowledges the exemplary efforts of our educators. SSAISD proudly recognizes these 91 teachers for their continuous demonstration of excellence and outstanding representation of our district. Superintendent Yzaguirre closes the memorable assemblies with a heartfelt thank you to all our teachers, “You are doing incredible, important work and you deserve to be recognized for it. Thank you for continuing to choose South San Antonio ISD.”