Designations

Designations are distinctions awarded to highly-effective teachers. There are three levels of designation: Recognized, Exemplary, and Master. Each designation level provides a range of salary incentives to the designated teacher for each year of the 5-year designation period, up to *$18,372 for PfISD teachers.

There are two paths for teachers to obtain the Recognized designation: 

1. National Board Certification
2. Local Designation System (PfISD TIA Designation System)

 

The Exemplary and Master designations can be earned through a local designation system only, which must show validity and reliability in the data verification process.

Once a teacher earns a designation, the designation is valid for five years and is transferable if the teacher moves to teach a different subject or grade or moves districts within the state. During those five years, a teacher’s performance can be submitted for a higher designation based on the criteria of the district's designation system, but cannot have their designation level decreased.

TIA Designation Levels & *Incentive Ranges for PfISD Teachers

 

*Incentive amounts are as of April 2025 (adjusted annually by TEA) and determined based on the teacher's designation level and campus assignment as of the last Friday in February each year. Amounts shown above have been reduced by the 10% district set-aside. Actual stipend amounts received by designated teachers will be further reduced by all TIA Payroll Deductions (all employee and employer payroll deductions), specific to each individual teacher. TIA stipends are credited in the Teacher Retirement System (TRS) and used in retirement benefit calculations.

 

Specific information on designation determinations is available to PfISD teachers in the PfISD TIA Guidebook at this link.