For 567 Spring ISD teachers, the hard work that happens inside their classrooms is earning recognition and financial rewards. The district recently celebrated educators who received more than $7.6 million collectively through the Texas Teacher Incentive Allotment (TIA) program, recognizing their dedication to helping students learn and succeed.

The recognition is significant for families across Spring and north Houston, where experienced, effective teachers play an important role in student achievement. It also highlights opportunities for educators to earn additional compensation while continuing to do what they love: teach.

Spring ISD honored its designated teachers during the district's third annual Teacher Incentive Allotment Recognition Event on October 7, 2026, at The Woodlands Waterway Marriott Hotel and Convention Center. More than 500 guests attended, including teachers, district leaders and community members. Among those celebrated were 72 educators who earned new designations or advanced to higher recognition levels.

Spring ISD Teachers Earn More Than $7.6 Million in Incentive Awards

The Texas Teacher Incentive Allotment program was established by the Texas Legislature in 2019 to recognize effective public school teachers and provide additional compensation based on measures of instructional performance and student growth.

Spring ISD's 567 designated teachers include 75 at the Recognized level, 220 at the Exemplary level and 272 at the Master level. According to Dr. Terrell King, the district's Chief of Human Resource Services, individual incentive awards ranged from approximately $4,448.68 to $16,428.

The program is intended to help Texas school districts attract and retain effective educators by creating opportunities for higher earnings without requiring teachers to leave the classroom for administrative positions.

During the celebration, Spring ISD Board President Justine Durant and Superintendent Dr. Kregg Cuellar acknowledged the commitment educators bring to their students each day.

“You are educators, mentors, advocates, and leaders,” Durant said. “You inspire students to dream bigger, work harder and believe in what is possible.”

For Spring ISD, the growing number of designated educators also reflects the district's continued focus on improving academic performance and supporting teachers through its The New Spring ISD initiative.

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Spring ISD Teachers Share the Personal Meaning Behind Their Recognition

For Preston Jackson, a second-grade teacher at Burchett Elementary School who earned an Exemplary designation, the recognition was an encouraging reminder that his efforts are making a difference.

“It makes me feel appreciated to see that my hard work is actually paying off, and then for the district to notice it as well,” Jackson said.

At Jenkins Elementary School, third-grade bilingual teacher Sandra Torres described how much of a teacher's work takes place outside public view.

“It feels great because I feel like teachers do so much for the students,” Torres said. “And there’s a lot that families and even administration sometimes don’t see because we are in our classrooms with our kids every day.”

Torres recalled former students returning to share memories of lessons they learned in her classroom, including an activity using Oreo cookies to demonstrate the phases of the moon. Those visits serve as reminders that even simple classroom experiences can stay with students for years.

For Laura Omelanczuk, a bilingual technology teacher at Marshall Elementary School, the financial incentive created an opportunity to further her education. With more than 10 years of experience teaching in bilingual classrooms and working as a bilingual dyslexia provider in Spring ISD, Omelanczuk used the additional compensation to pursue a master's degree in Instructional Design.

She hopes to apply that knowledge toward her goal of becoming a bilingual curriculum writer, contributing to the development of instructional resources that support bilingual students and teachers.

Why the Teacher Incentive Allotment Matters for Spring ISD Families

The Texas Teacher Incentive Allotment program addresses one of the ongoing challenges facing public education: retaining experienced teachers while encouraging continued professional growth.

For Spring ISD families, recognizing effective educators is about more than financial awards. Teachers who remain in the classroom can provide continuity for students, share their knowledge with colleagues and help strengthen instruction across their campuses.

The district's latest recognition also comes as Spring ISD continues working to improve student outcomes and build on recent academic progress.

Cuellar credited educators with helping advance those efforts and emphasized their importance to the district's future.

“The impact of your work reaches far beyond your classroom. Every day, you make a difference in the lives of our students, and that impact is moving our entire district forward,” Cuellar said.

For the hundreds of teachers recognized this October, the celebration was an opportunity to see their daily efforts acknowledged. For students and families, it was also a reminder of the people behind the lessons, encouragement and small breakthroughs that make a lasting difference throughout a child's education.

Stay connected with My Neighborhood News for more Spring ISD updates, local education news and stories celebrating the teachers and students making a difference across Spring and north Houston.

By Tiffany Krenek, My Neighborhood News 

Tiffany Krenek has been on the My Neighborhood News team since August 2021. She is passionate about curating and sharing content that enriches the lives of our readers in a personal, meaningful way. A loving mother and wife, Tiffany and her family live in the West Houston/Cypress region.

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