Breckenridge Texan

By Carla McKeown/Breckenridge Texan

At their regular meeting on Monday, May 19, the Breckenridge Independent School District’s Board of Trustees honored the May 2025 Students of the Month, as well as the teachers who have earned a Teacher Incentive Allotment Designation.

BISD will host the Breckenridge High School Class of 2025 graduation at 7 p.m. Friday, May 23, in the BISD Athletic Facility (main gym), located at the corner of North Live Oak Street and West Second Street. The graduation ceremony will be open to the public, and the doors will open at 6:30 p.m. If you can’t make it the ceremony, BISD will livestream the ceremony on the Buckaroo YouTube Channel, beginning at 6:30 p.m.: https://www.youtube.com/@bisdstreaming8928/streams

The May Students of the Month are: Maria Reyes, East Elementary; Jaxon Martin, South Elementary; Joel Pulgarin, Breckenridge Junior High; and, for Breckenridge High School, Antley Rodgers, 2025 BHS Valedictorian, and Timothy Newell, 2025 BHS Salutatorian. (See the Student of the Month photos below.)

The following teachers earned the Teacher Incentive Allotment Designation:

Master Teachers

• April Hughes
• Stephanie Skiles
• Marlene Coplen
• Deedra Boaz
• Lori Durham
• Randie McCullough

Exemplary Teachers

• Taylor Stanley
• Maria Palacios
• Deanna Jordan
• Roxi Lee
• Jamie McMeans
• Kim Tipton
• Valeria Williams
• Kim Best
• Chelsea Escalon
• Misty Boaz
• Halee Mitchell
• Genie Graham
• Angie Brown
• Cassie Wimberley
• Angela Palacios

Recognized Teachers

• Kerstin Winge
• Robin Bobo
• April Lechner

According to the Texas Education Agency, the TIA program was created to allow Texas school districts to designate and reward top-performing teachers. Teachers can earn one of three levels of designation – Recognized, Exemplary, or Master. Districts receive an annual allotment for each eligible designated teacher they employ and may use TIA funds to incentivize effective teachers to remain in the classroom and prioritize high-needs campuses.

“This prestigious designation is more than a title. It’s a testament to the dedication, passion and excellence these teachers bring to their classrooms every single day,” BISD Superintendent Prairie Freeman said before introducing the teachers. “Achieving this designation requires more than just meeting standards. It means going above and beyond to impact student learning, foster a culture of growth and inspire the next generation. These educators have demonstrated a commitment to their craft, a deep love for their students and a relentless drive for improvement. Your efforts have not gone unnoticed. The TIA designation is a reflection of your hard work, your innovative teaching, and the difference you make in the lives of your students and your school community. On behalf of BISD and the entire Breckenridge community, we extend our deepest appreciation and admiration. Thank you for being the kind of teacher every student deserves and for setting a standard that we can all aspire to. Congratulations teachers on this well deserved honor.”

The teachers who earned the Teacher Incentive Allotment Designation were honored at the May 19 Breckenridge Independent School District board meeting. (Photo by Tony Pilkington/Breckenridge Texan)

Maria Reyes was honored as the East Elementary Student of the Month at the May 19 BISD school board meeting by Principal Shannon Deen. (Photo by Tony Pilkington/Breckenridge Texan)

Fourth-grader Jaxon Martin received the Student of the Month certificate for May from South Elementary Principal Patricia Gonzalez. (Photo by Tony Pilkington/Breckenridge Texan)

Joel Pulgarin was honored as the BJHS Student of the Month for May by Principal Laura Gibson. (Photo by Tony Pilkington/Breckenridge Texan)

Breckenridge High School Principal Paul Armstrong, right, introduces the May Students of the Month, Class of 2025 Valedictorian Antley Rodgers, left, and Class of 2025 Salutatorian Timothy Newell, center. (Photo by Tony Pilkington/Breckenridge Texan)

Cutline, top photo: Class of 2025 Valedictorian Antley Rodgers, left, and Class of 2025 Salutatorian Timothy Newell, center, will give speeches at the Breckenridge High School graduation ceremony tonight, Friday, May 23, at the BISD Athletic Facility. At the May school board meeting, Breckenridge High School Principal Paul Armstrong presented the two as the May Students of the Month. (Photo by Tony Pilkington/Breckenridge Texan)