Imelda La Rosa, an eighth-grade science teacher from Salvador Garcia Middle School, passionately advocated for House Bill 2 during the Senate Committee on Education meeting on May 15, 2025. With 20 years of teaching experience, La Rosa emphasized the critical need for expanded funding and access to the Teacher Incentive Allotment (TIA) to address teacher shortages and improve retention in rural schools.

La Rosa highlighted the challenges faced by her school, where 90% of students are economically disadvantaged and a significant portion are English learners. She noted that while her campus boasts excellent teacher retention rates, many rural areas struggle to attract qualified educators due to limited resources. "Teachers in these areas are hard to come by because of limited funding," she stated, underscoring the importance of TIA in rewarding and supporting teachers.

The TIA program not only incentivizes academic performance but also fosters professional growth and leadership among educators. La Rosa, who has mentored new teachers for nearly 15 years, shared how effective mentorship can lead to timely certification and improved student outcomes. "Having quality mentoring programs is vital to the preparation and retention of novice teachers," she asserted.

Val Acree, a fellow educator and Region 3 Secondary Teacher of the Year, echoed La Rosa's sentiments, sharing his experience at Yorktown High School. He noted that TIA has been instrumental in attracting high-quality teachers to his small rural district, which previously faced significant teacher shortages. "Since implementing TIA, we have designated 20 teachers, and we’ve seen real results," Acree explained, citing the successful recruitment of a qualified English teacher as a direct benefit of the program.

Both educators urged the committee to support HB 2, framing investments in teacher pay and quality as essential commitments to student success. "When we support teachers, we're investing directly in student achievement," La Rosa concluded, reinforcing the notion that every student deserves access to high-quality instruction, regardless of their ZIP code. The committee's decision on this bill could significantly impact the future of education in Texas, particularly in underserved rural communities.