23 Transformation Waco teachers earn pay boost with Teacher Incentive Allotment designations

Alta Vista Elementary third-grade teacher Natasha Warchol (right) receives a check for over $25,000 for her Teacher Incentive Allotment Master designation. Pictured left is Principal Lindsey Helton.

Transformation Waco proudly announces that 23 teachers have earned the Texas Education Agency’s Teacher Incentive Allotment (TIA) designations. The TIA system provides an avenue for teachers to make additional compensation for exceptional performance, resulting in high levels of student achievement.

Of the 23 TW teachers, three qualify as Master, seven are designated Exemplary, and 13 received Recognized designations.

Once a teacher achieves a TIA designation, they will receive a cash award annually for five consecutive years, beginning with the 2024-2025 school year. Amounts are based on the designation earned and the student’s socio-economic status at the teacher’s campus:

• Master Designation awards allotment between $12,000- $32,000

• Exemplary Designation awards allotment between $6,000- $18,000

• Recognized Designation awards allotment between $3,000- $9,000

“We are thrilled that every Transformation Waco campus has a TIA-designated teacher,” said Chief Executive Officer Dr. Robin McDurham. “We had 11 TIA teachers last year, so I’m proud that 23 additional teachers, including two who moved up designations, are receiving pay boosts. These exceptional teachers are true champions in the classroom, fostering academic success and positive student outcomes. The TIA recognitions highlight their dedication and hard work, and it’s gratifying to see the state acknowledging their impact.”

Teachers at Transformation Waco who have earned a TIA designation include:

Master

Wanda Malburg, Alta Vista Elementary

Natasha Warchol, Alta Vista Elementary

Lorraine Randazzo, G.W. Carver Middle [upgrade from Exemplary in 2022-2023]

Exemplary

Lasondra Ballard, Alta Vista Elementary

Cristina Dresner, Alta Vista Elementary

Griselda Picazo, Alta Vista Elementary

Mary Jo Spark, Alta Vista Elementary

Paige Stanford, G.W. Carver Middle [upgrade from Recognized in 2022-2023]

Hollie Listach, G.W. Carver Middle

Terrance Zachery, G.W. Carver Middle

Recognized

Brittany Beverly, Alta Vista Elementary

Jessica Lopez, Alta Vista Elementary

Vannessa Martinez, Alta Vista Elementary

Rosemarie Sierra Febus, Alta Vista Elementary

Kelsey Erwin, Brook Avenue Elementary

Doyce Burkley, J.H. Hines Elementary

David Guthrie, G.W. Carver Middle

Jessica Reisinger, G.W. Carver Middle

Richard Sellers, G.W. Carver Middle

Diego Tacon, G.W. Carver Middle

Wendy Underwood, G.W. Carver Middle

Kaaron Cornish, G.W. Carver Middle

Victoria Vasquez, G.W. Carver Middle

Update: Transformation Waco contract approved for 2024-2025!!!

Transformation Waco Chief Executive Officer Dr. Robin McDurham shared the following message with TW families, staff and community:

“Dear Transformation Waco Families and Staff,

I’m happy to share that at its recent board meeting, Waco ISD’s School Board approved Transformation Waco’s contract for the next school year. I’m grateful that the board and WISD value our wraparound services and impact on improving student outcomes at Alta Vista Elementary, Brook Avenue Elementary, J.H. Hines Elementary and G.W. Carver Middle these past six years. Because of supporters like you, we are making a real difference in the lives of children and families.

Our contract means the continuation of afterschool programs, free eye exams and glasses through The Bernard and Audre Rapoport Vision Center, licensed clinical social workers for mental health support, telehealth services with Waco Family Medicine, legal support from Greater Waco Legal Services, the early childhood program at Inspiración, the School Readiness Initiative at Estella Maxey, Parent Universities with Grassroots Community Development and a host of other community-partner programs.

We plan to extend these services to even more students and schools. We look forward to a continuous partnership with you and are excited about the positive impact we can make together.

Sincerely, 

Dr. Robin McDurham"

TW wraparound services support 37% reduction in chronic absenteeism for 2022-23

Transformation Waco (TW) is celebrating significant progress in addressing chronic absenteeism, seeing a 13 point reduction across its four schools in 2022-2023. Chronic absenteeism, defined as a student missing more than 10% of the required school year, sat at 35% in 2021-2022 and improved to 22% last school year, representing a 37% decrease. 

The Transformation Zone—encompassing Alta Vista, Brook Avenue and J.H. Hines elementary schools and G.W. Carver Middle School—experienced improvements at every campus, seeing double-digit reductions in chronic absenteeism.

Alta Vista: 26% (2021-22) to 14% (2022-23) — a 12 point decrease equating to a 46% reduction

Brook Avenue: 23% (2021-22) to 19% (2022-23) — a 4 point decrease equating to a 17% reduction 

J.H. Hines: 42% (2021-22) to 24% (2022-23) - an 18 point decrease equating to a 42% reduction 

G.W. Carver: 43% (2021-22) to 31% (2022-23) — a 12 point decrease equating to a 28% reduction

The organization prioritized improving its chronic absenteeism rate following an unprecedented post-pandemic surge in absences in 2021-2022.

“One out of three TW students missed 18 days or more of school in 2021-2022,” said Transformation Waco CEO Dr. Robin McDurham. “The omicron strain of COVID-19 caused substantial peaks in cases that year and higher numbers of absences nationwide. Chronic absenteeism is exacerbated by systemic inequities like housing and food insecurity, inadequate access to mental health support and necessities like clothing, lack of electricity, and transportation difficulties. When students miss 10% of their school year, they’re more likely to see reductions in math and reading achievement, decreased social and emotional engagement, and a significantly increased probability of dropping out of high school.”

McDurham noted that TW relied on its holistic student and family support system to tackle these attendance barriers. 

“Every TW campus has attendance and coordination of care teams that are crucial links between schools and parents. These teams create individualized care plans responsive to each student’s needs and circumstances. They collaborate with families to uncover the root causes of absences and connect families to community partners that provide social services and case management,” said McDurham.

Integrated supports, known as wraparound services, are the basis of TW’s personalized student care plans. These include on-campus programs and services such as free afterschool and tutoring, mentoring, licensed clinical social workers for mental health, eye examinations and glasses, and telehealth care with Waco Family Medicine. 

“Wraparound services are fundamental to our community schools strategy. We treat schools as neighborhood hubs where staff and community partners provide direct services to students and families. For example, students do not need to miss a school day to see the doctor or have a mental health appointment. If a family feels disconnected from school, our community school specialists build relationships by doing home visits and reassuring them that caring adults are at school for their children. These comprehensive strategies helped us reduce chronic absenteeism and improve student academic performance. In 2022-2023, 65% of students who received one or more wraparound service improved their attendance compared to the previous school year,” said McDurham.

The Zone’s overall 13 point decrease in chronic absenteeism from 35% to 22% — a 37% reduction — is especially noteworthy considering national trends that showed 11 states that reported attendance data from the 2022-23 school year had a combined chronic absenteeism rate decrease of 2.2 points, from 30% to 27.8%, equating to a 7% reduction.  

Although complete national data is unavailable due to some states like Texas not releasing their 2022-2023 chronic absenteeism figures, some districts have reported reductions in chronic absenteeism. A report from Attendance Works, a national nonprofit that supports schools in reducing chronic absences, recommends four approaches to stem the high tide of absenteeism: Family Engagement, School Connectedness, Community Schools, and Expanded Access to Health Service.

“TW has continuously implemented these strategies and shown they positively affect student academic performance and improve attendance. Reducing chronic absenteeism is a community challenge that requires a community response. Our success will continue to rely on maintaining strong relationships with students, families and community partnerships, working together to close equity gaps,” said McDurham.