As part of our ongoing TIA – Level IV Spotlight Series, we’re proud to feature outstanding educators across YES Prep who have been recognized through the Teacher Incentive Allotment (TIA) program. These teachers are committed to academic excellence, strong student relationships, and instructional impact in the classroom.  

Today’s spotlight features Claudia Rivera, a TIA Exemplary teacher at YES Prep Airline Elementary, who brings more than three decades of teaching experience to her kindergarten classroom. The blog below is shared in her own words. 

With 35 years of experience in education, my journey as a teacher began in Colombia, where I taught pre-kindergarten. Since then, I’ve dedicated my life to nurturing young learners and helping them thrive. When I moved to Houston, I continued teaching bilingual kindergarten students at Young Learners Schools for two years before joining North Forest ISD, where I spent seven years in the same role. 

Later, I transitioned to Houston ISD, where I had the opportunity to teach a range of grade levels—from kindergarten through fourth grade—for 10 years. It was during that time that I met Cynovia Hall, who is now my principal at YES Prep Airline Elementary. Last year, she invited me to be part of the YES Prep family, and I’m so grateful to have made that decision. 

Bringing Passion and Positivity into the Classroom 

I consider myself a passionate educator. I bring energy and enthusiasm to my teaching because I believe that joy is contagious—especially in a kindergarten classroom. One of my key strategies is to create a positive and safe environment where students and parents feel supported. I also strive to make my lessons engaging and memorable, which helps students stay excited about learning. 

This approach has proven successful—last year, 80% of my students met their MAP Reading goal and 80% met their MAP Math goal. Our school was also named a Top Performing Campus for both MAP Reading and Math, and I was honored to receive the Student Family Survey Award. 

Transformative Growth Through Challenges 

One of the most impactful experiences I’ve had at YES Prep involved working with a student who has special needs. Supporting this student was a challenge that pushed me to learn more, adapt my instruction, and seek out strategies to meet his specific needs. The result was an incredible amount of growth—not just for the student, but also for me as an educator. His progress and performance were remarkable, and his success became a celebration for both his family and our classroom community. 

Why YES Prep? 

I truly love working at YES Prep. The environment is positive, the culture is supportive, and our school leaders are always encouraging. From day one, I’ve felt like part of a team that values each teacher’s contributions and is committed to student success. Being recognized as a Level IV teacher through the Teacher Pathway is another milestone I’m proud of—and it reflects the dedication I bring to this work every day. 

Teaching at YES Prep is a space where I can continue to grow professionally while making a lasting difference in the lives of my students.