Copperas Cove ISD Celebrates High-Performing Educators

These educators received applause and a visit from CCISD administrators to congratulate them on their achievement and will receive state-funded pay increases totaling more than $345,000.

Gary Emmert
2–3 minutes

Copperas Cove ISD Celebrates High-Performing Educators with Teacher Incentive Allotment Designations

COPPERAS COVE – On Friday, Copperas Cove Independent School District (CCISD) surprised 53 educators with Teacher Incentive Allotment (TIA) designations, recognizing them as high-performing teachers in the state. These educators received applause and a visit from CCISD administrators to congratulate them on their achievement and will receive state-funded pay increases totaling more than $345,000.

The TIA program includes three designation levels: Recognized, Exemplary, and Master Teacher. Each designation is valid for five years, and teachers can move up from Recognized or Exemplary to Master Teacher, restarting their five-year designation period.

“The greatest asset our district has is the incredible teachers standing in front of the almost 8,000 students in Copperas Cove ISD,” said Superintendent Dr. Brent Hawkins. “We have so many great teachers in CCISD and are grateful to be able to share these awards with them. Keeping high-quality, effective educators in Copperas Cove is the most important aspect to the success of our schools moving forward, and this goes a long way in doing that.”

This is the second year CCISD has participated in the TIA program. In 2024, 92 teachers earned designations, totaling more than $1.1 million. With this year’s designations, almost 25% of CCISD teachers hold an active TIA designation. Of the 53 designations this year, 11 teachers moved up in designation level.

The TIA was created through House Bill 3 during the 2019 state legislative session to incentivize and reward effective, high-performing teachers, aiming to retain these educators in the classroom.

Below is a list of educators awarded this year:

Clements/Parsons Elementary School

  • Lynn Justice, Recognized
  • Michelle Ortiz, Recognized
  • Heather Gutierrez, Exemplary

Copperas Cove High School

  • Michael Holladay, Recognized
  • Jenny Sanchez, Recognized
  • Dawn Varra, Recognized
  • Vanessa Wheat, Recognized
  • Lorraine Melgoza-Pearson, Exemplary
  • Kathryn Taylor, Master (Previously Exemplary)

Copperas Cove Jr. High School

  • Lauren Dunn, Recognized
  • Lori Erickson, Recognized
  • Anita Hacker, Recognized
  • Ashley Johns, Recognized
  • Jerrold Lyles, Recognized
  • Dinorah Melendez Valle, Recognized
  • Lorraine Thomas, Recognized

Fairview/Miss Jewell Elementary School

  • Lauren Buckram, Exemplary
  • Shelley Hirschmann, Exemplary
  • Todd Hine, Master
  • Michiko Jones, Master
  • Jamie King, Master
  • Courtney Liverpool, Master (Previously Exemplary)
  • Julie Odum, Master (Previously Exemplary)
  • Astrid Salveson, Master (Previously Exemplary)
  • Michael Supinski, Master (Previously Recognized)

Hettie Halstead Elementary School

  • Heidi Herrera, Recognized
  • Jennifer Knox, Recognized
  • Wendola Brixius, Exemplary
  • Miranda DeLeon, Exemplary

House Creek Elementary School

  • Matthew Savoie, Exemplary
  • Adeline Hurley, Exemplary
  • Kandis Elkins, Master

Mae Stevens Early Learning Academy

  • Krystal Johnson, Recognized
  • Julie Reynolds, Recognized
  • Bertha Aponte, Exemplary
  • Pamela Collier, Exemplary
  • Mandy Hunt, Exemplary
  • Vongphachan McElroy, Exemplary (Previously Recognized)
  • Kamika Deal, Master (Previously Exemplary)
  • Samantha Peck, Master
  • Robyn Petet, Master (Previously Exemplary)
  • Kristina Straley, Master (Previously Exemplary)
  • Nancy Zimmer-Clark, Master

Martin Walker Elementary School

  • Ann Guidici-Akui, Recognized
  • Kathrin Parker, Recognized
  • Shawna Smith, Recognized
  • Terri Smith, Recognized
  • Amy Tiscareno, Recognized
  • Brittnee Bostian, Exemplary
  • Dianna Pellegrino, Exemplary
  • Kathryn Smith, Master (Previously Recognized)

S.C. Lee Jr. High School

  • Kerry Cryer, Master (Previously Recognized)

Williams/Ledger Elementary School

  • Jessica Lones, Recognized

CCISD continues to celebrate and support its educators through the TIA program, ensuring that high-quality, effective teachers remain in the classroom. This initiative not only rewards excellence but also contributes to the overall success of the district’s schools and students.

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