Teachers spend countless hours educating and preparing the next generation for success. In the classroom, students learn a wide range of subjects, from reading and writing to physical education. As expectations for educators continue to grow, programs like the Teacher Incentive Allotment (TIA) help recognize the skill, dedication, and impact that effective teachers bring to their students and communities every day.
The Teacher Incentive Allotment, or TIA, is a program offered by the Texas Education Agency (TEA) that provides financial incentives to educators who demonstrate excellence in the classroom and contribute to student growth. Funds from the TIA are distributed to participating school districts as additional compensation for high-performing teachers.
Alumna Mariah Ramirez ('23), a physical education teacher at Blanton Elementary, is the first P.E. teacher to receive a TIA designation. Physical education teachers in grades 3–8 were recently added as eligible participants in the program. To earn her designation, Mariah submitted student growth data based on the administration of the PACER test from FitnessGram, which measured progress among her third through fifth-grade students.
“Upon reviewing my scores and data, I recognized that I am effectively fulfilling my role as a coach,” said Mariah. “Receiving this award is an honor that words cannot fully express.”
Mariah enjoys being a P.E. coach and hopes to inspire students to develop a lifelong appreciation for physical activity and healthy habits.
“I am dedicated to my work, striving to inspire students to adopt healthier lifestyles both inside and outside the gym,” Mariah said. “I have enjoyed guiding students in their development in running, helping them experience growth while making the process enjoyable. My goal is for students to maintain a passion for running beyond elementary school.”
TIA supports teachers like Mariah by recognizing their hard work and dedication in the classroom, encouraging them to continue making a lasting impact on their students' lives.
