Texas Border Business
PHARR, Texas – Over 1,500 Pharr-San Juan-Alamo Independent School District (PSJA ISD) educators came together for a momentous celebration at the Teacher Incentive Allotment (TIA) event on Thursday, March 13, 2025, at the PSJA Stadium. The event honored the more than 1,500 exceptional educators who earned a TIA designation, marking a significant milestone for the district.
TIA was established in 2019 through House Bill 3, a sweeping public school funding measure passed by the 86th Texas Legislature. Designed to recognize and reward exceptional educators, the program offers high-performing teachers the opportunity to earn six-figure salaries. Additionally, it helps districts, particularly those in rural and high-needs areas, attract and retain highly effective educators.
To gain approval for a Texas Education Agency (TEA) Local Designation System, districts must complete a rigorous application process that includes system development, implementation, and data submission for validation and review by TEA and Texas Tech University. PSJA ISD’s TIA incentive program is designed to reward exceptional educators through three recognition levels: Recognized, Exemplary, and Master.
To celebrate this achievement, PSJA ISD invited hundreds of educators, along with their families and campus administration, to a special event at the PSJA Stadium, where each teacher was honored with a yard sign and decal commemorating their designation.
PSJA Superintendent Dr. Alejandro Elias commended the educators for their hard work and dedication, emphasizing their role in upholding the district’s reputation for delivering high-quality instruction.
“I couldn’t be prouder of every teacher here tonight, you have all truly earned this designation,” said PSJA Superintendent Dr. Alejandro Elias. “With over 1,500 educators receiving this recognition, over 74% of our teachers will be TIA designated. This accomplishment reflects the dedication and commitment of our educators to student success. We celebrate and appreciate each and every one of you.”
PSJA ISD’s 2024-2025 Teacher Incentive Allotment designations, based on 2023-2024 teacher effectiveness data, were recently approved by the Texas Education Agency. As a TIA-designated school district, PSJA ISD’s incentive program aims to provide outstanding educators with a viable pathway to a six-figure salary.
PSJA Collegiate School of Health Professions teacher Analynn Gundran spoke at the event.
“PSJA ISD and the TIA have truly changed my life, this designation is more than just a title,” said Gundran. “It represents our dedication, commitment, and hard work in ensuring the success of our students. It is a testament to the guidance we provide in their educational journeys, the endless possibilities they see ahead, and the long hours we devote to lesson planning, student engagement, and creating a nurturing environment for every child.”
The district’s approval to designate teachers involves a two-step review process. The first step is conducted by the Texas Education Agency (TEA), followed by a second review in collaboration with Texas Tech University. TEA evaluates the results from both steps before granting final approval. New designations and allotments are expected to be processed by TEA in late April 2024.
For more information regarding PSJA ISD’s incentive program, individuals may visit www.psjaisd.us/humanresources.
