The below information is relevant to students participating in the Relay Teaching Residency, only. Students participating in the NY Relay Teacher Pathway should review the information provided in the NY Relay Teacher Pathway: Apprentice Teacher Job Description section.

Apprentice Teacher with School-Based Mentor

Residents need to spend a portion of every day in their school-based mentors’ classrooms as an observer, apprentice teacher, or co-teacher, depending on the gradual on-ramp. This will provide residents with several important opportunities to:

• Develop relationships with a group of Birth–Grade12 students and their caretakers

• Observe and learn from the school-based mentor, who will model strong teaching

• Instruct small groups to support all learners

• Assist with grading and feedback for all students

• Co-teach with the school-based mentor

• Practice specific teaching skills in a classroom setting and receive feedback 

Gradual On-Ramp–Aligned Teaching

The metaphor of a gradual on-ramp implies that residents should gradually take on increased ownership of whole-class instruction. Fulfilling gradual on-ramp–aligned teaching responsibilities throughout the year is a critical part of the job description to ensure readiness for full-time teaching. Above all, residents should proactively and positively communicate and self-advocate to ensure there are ample, appropriate teaching opportunities. 

School Support

Residents will be fully present members of a school community; like everyone else in the building, they will pitch in to serve students and advance the school’s mission. Across a given week and a given year, this means providing structured support and maintaining flexibility with school-specific changes or unforeseen events to ensure Birth–Grade 12 students meet their goals. Residents can provide the school with support by:

• Teaching subject-specific intervention or support blocks

• Pulling students to pre-teach or remediate critical concepts, as appropriate 

• Tutoring individual students 

• Coordinating school activities like “brain breakfast” or a rewards program

• Leading clubs or extracurricular activities

• Substitute teaching on a limited basis

• Leading homerooms or small-group advisories

• Supervising during morning, lunch, dismissal, or after school

• Providing organizational support by organizing materials or assessments (though this should not be more than 10% of their jobs)

Personal Learning and Development

Continuous learning and development make great residents and great teachers. As such, residents should: 

• Attend and actively participate in school and network professional development

• Attend and actively participate in all Relay classes, complete all assignments, and be in good standing

• Engage in weekly check-ins with their school-based mentor and/or coach to name learning goals, review lessons, and discuss support for the upcoming week

• Initiate learning and development in the teaching profession

• Build deep content expertise

• Maintain strong performance in their role and adjust accordingly as needed
   

It is Relay’s hope that residents find great success with their current school partner and position. Residents are expected to complete their entire residency year at one school to ensure consistency in the residency experience and to build strong relationships with students. If a resident is thinking of making a change to their enrollment at Relay, program (e.g., certification or MAT program), area of study, and/or position, they should contact their Relay advisor right away, as this may have implications for program completion, licensure, and Relay tuition.