At YES Prep, strong teaching is recognized by student outcomes and the lasting impact educators make in their classrooms and school communities. Through the Teacher Incentive Allotment (TIA), the state of Texas honors teachers who demonstrate exceptional instructional excellence and student growth. These designations are a commitment to growing and retaining outstanding educators who are helping deliver the education Houston students deserve. 

For Bria Brown-Woods, teaching has always been about making students feel seen, helping them believe in what they are capable of, and creating the kind of classroom culture that can change how a child sees learning for the long term. 

Now in her third year at YES Prep Airline Elementary, Brown-Woods teaches 3rd grade Reading Language Arts (RLA) and has already made a powerful mark on her campus. In addition to earning both a TIA Master designation and Level IV recognition, she has served as a Tech Teach Mentor, Course Facilitator, Program Facilitator and member of the School Leadership Incubator Program, extending her impact outside her own classroom. 

Fresh out of college, Brown-Woods started her career as a substitute teacher. What she found there stayed with her – a love for the culture of learning and the students she encountered each day. That experience pushed her to apply to a graduate teaching program, where she began her classroom career as a kindergarten teacher before eventually transitioning to upper elementary, where she has remained ever since. 

“My own experience within education was partly what inspired me to become a teacher. I've had many teachers, but I can only count a couple who made me feel seen as a student, especially during times when I truly needed to.” 

That memory now fuels the kind of educator she strives to be for her own students. “I hope that I am the teacher who makes my SPARKS feel seen and ignite a love for learning and literacy.” 

That desire to help students feel known and capable shows up clearly in the way Brown-Woods leads her classroom. She does not believe in students passively receiving information. Instead, she creates a culture where students take ownership of their learning by understanding their progress and using data as a tool for growth. 

In her classroom, formative and summative assessments are not just for teachers; they are shared with students, discussed openly, and used to help them reflect on what is working and where they can improve. For Brown-Woods, one of the most rewarding parts of teaching is seeing students recognize their own growth, make adjustments, and push themselves further. 

That practice of reflection and ownership has helped her build the kind of strong academic culture that leads to real results. It also reflects a larger belief that students rise when they are both supported and challenged. 

Brown-Woods credits much of her own professional growth to the opportunities she has had at YES Prep, especially under the leadership of her school leader, Ms. Hall. She describes Ms. Hall as someone who has made a lasting impact on her career by helping her stretch beyond the classroom and step into leadership. 

Once Brown-Woods shared her goals for the future, Ms. Hall intentionally created space for her to lead, grow, and strengthen her skills. Through that support and coaching, Brown-Woods says she has been able to lead multiple events on her campus, grow as an educator and leader, and achieve what she describes as jaw-dropping data for students and families. 

Her story is also a reflection of something YES Prep works to do intentionally, build leaders from within. For educators who want to expand their impact, Brown-Woods says “YES is the place to teach for opportunity! Over the three years I've been at YES, I've had so many opportunities to learn and grow as an educator and leader at my home campus and through home office.” 

She came to YES Prep hoping to move closer to leadership beyond the classroom. What she found was a district that not only supported that goal, but actively invested in helping her pursue it. 

For other educators, her advice is grounded in both grace and high expectations. “Extend grace as needed, but remember to still hold all students to a high standard. Sometimes they need a little push to realize what they are truly capable of. Be the educator that pushes them to new heights!” 

That balance is part of what makes Brown-Woods such a strong example of the educators YES Prep is proud to celebrate through this series. She leads with heart, teaches with purpose, and reminds students every day that growth begins with believing in what is possible. 

As YES Prep continues to celebrate its TIA- and Level IV-designated teachers, stories like Bria Brown-Woods’ highlight what is possible when talented educators are supported, challenged, and given room to grow. They also reflect YES Prep’s broader commitment to developing exceptional teachers and leaders who are building transformative experiences for students across Houston. 

YES Prep is currently hiring passionate educators for a variety of roles, including Bilingual Education and Special Education teaching positions. For those looking to grow their impact in a district that invests in both students and staff, YES Prep offers the opportunity to do meaningful work and build a lasting career.