Alto Independent School District proudly announces nine educators have received new designations through the Texas Education Agency’s Teacher Incentive Allotment (TIA), a prestigious program recognizing excellence in teaching and student achievement.

The Teacher Incentive Allotment (TIA) is designed to recruit, reward, and retain highly effective teachers, particularly in rural and high-need districts. Teachers earn designations at three levels—Recognized, Exemplary, and Master—based on classroom performance, student growth, and rigorous evaluations. These designations are valid for five years and are reflected on the teacher’s Texas educator certificate.

Alto ISD is a fully approved participant in the TIA program and uses a local designation system that measures teacher effectiveness through classroom observations and student academic growth. These designations also provide additional compensation funded entirely by the State of Texas. Under the district’s approved plan, 90% of TIA funds go directly to the designated teacher, while 10% supports program implementation.

Congratulations to our newly designated teachers:

⭐ Recognized Teachers:

Megan Barnett and Stephanie Hammons

⭐ Exemplary Teachers:

Kathy Blackmon, Courtney Landrum, Cassidy McClendon, Tiffany Weatherford, and Rachael Westbrook

⭐ Master Teachers:

Braden Shaffer and Clayton Norman

As we celebrate these teachers, we also recognize that every classroom in Alto ISD is filled with educators who pour their hearts into children, often in ways that can never truly be measured by a designation, score, or title. These teachers represent the excellence, commitment, and care that exist across our entire district!