(EL PASO INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT – May 26, 2026) — Applause filled the halls of Canyon Hills Middle School as El Paso ISD celebrated a historic milestone for the campus and its educators.
Mathematics teachers William Coon and Noemi Gonzalez became the first educators at Canyon Hills Middle School to earn a local designation through the Teacher Incentive Allotment (TIA), a statewide initiative designed to recognize highly effective teachers for their impact on student growth and classroom excellence.
The celebration highlighted not only the accomplishments of two outstanding educators, but also El Paso ISD’s broader commitment to investing in teachers and creating pathways that reward excellence in the classroom.
“Our team members are our greatest superheroes, and these efforts reflect a core belief that they are also our district’s greatest strengths,” Superintendent Dr. Brian Lusk said. “Great schools are built by great teachers, strong principals, and dedicated staff. When our team helps students achieve at high levels, that excellence deserves to be recognized and rewarded.”
Created by the Texas Legislature through House Bill 3, the Teacher Incentive Allotment provides additional state funding to school districts that identify and reward top-performing educators using a combination of rigorous classroom observations and student academic growth measures.
The TIA program is part of a much larger effort to strengthen teacher retention, support instructional excellence, and ensure students receive high-quality learning experiences across every campus.
District leaders say the long-term goal is clear: build a culture where outstanding educators feel valued, supported, and inspired to continue transforming student lives.
Tuesday’s ceremony served as a reminder that behind every successful classroom is a teacher whose impact extends far beyond test scores.
For Canyon Hills Middle School, that impact now carries historic recognition.