Securing a program-aligned instructional role is a requirement to enroll in Relay’s teacher programs. In Illinois, the following roles are program aligned:

Residency - Through the Relay Teaching Residency, talented and committed aspiring educators can launch a fulfilling career in teaching. The Residency provides a gradual on-ramp to teaching, as residents spend a full year embedded in the classroom of a Mentor Teacher before leading their own classroom in the second year. Through the Residency, Relay students will learn from experienced faculty and a network of peers, while earning a salary, a master’s degree, and/or teacher licensure. Program-aligned job titles for the Residency include Co-teacher.

Non-Residency - Relay offers non-residency programs that are designed to support educators in the field through graduate coursework and clinical experiences, with observation and feedback from Relay faculty with deep teaching experience. Through coursework, clinical experiences, and the support of Relay faculty and a school-based mentor teacher, Relay students will lead their own classrooms and develop the skills needed to help all children grow. They will also receive coaching and support from our team of experienced faculty to help them prepare them for state certification exams. Program-aligned job titles for the Non-Residency include Teacher of Record.

Most of our partners are ready to hire now! Feel free to reach out to any of the schools listed below to inquire about open residency or non-residency positions. 

• If you are interested in the MAT program for lead teachers, you may secure a teaching role at any school in Illinois (district, charter, or private) that aligns with your area of licensure. If a school district is interested in hiring you but states you need to be enrolled in the program before you apply with them, share this document of talking points. 

• Before seeking a job, please send in your official transcripts from all colleges and universities you have previously attended either electronically or by mail so that we can confirm your eligibility to enroll in an alternative certification program in Illinois (based on cumulative GPA and course credits/major).  You may also check your own eligibility here.

MAT - Residents & Non-Residents

• Acero Charter Schools

• Alexander Leigh Center for Autism (ALCA) - Special Education

• Chicago Collegiate Charter School

• Chicago Public Schools (CPS) - Residency for Special Education only

• Distinctive Schools - open to external candidates, Residency for Elementary, Science, Math

• Fox River Grove School District

• Great Lakes Academy

• Helping Hand Center

• Intrinsic Charter Schools 

• KIPP Chicago

• LEARN Charter School Network - open to external candidates, Residency for Special Education, Middle School Math/Language Arts 

• Mid-Valley Special Education District 303

• Namaste Charter School

• Nauvoo-Colusa CSD 325

• Noble Network of Charter Schools - open to external candidates, Residency for Special Education, HS Science/Math

• North Chicago District 187

• Perspectives Charter Schools

• Plainfield School District

• Prairie Hills Elementary District 144

• ReGeneration Schools - Residency for Special Education, Elementary, Science, Math 

• Rockford Public Schools

• Specialized Education Services, Inc. (SESI Schools)

• Steger School District 194

• The Menta Group

• True North Education 804 Co-Op

• University of Chicago Charter Schools - open to external candidates

• Waukegan Community Unit School District #60 

MAT - Non-Residents Only

• IL statewide (any district, charter, private school not otherwise a partner) 

Have you secured a program-aligned instructional role at a school, district, or network that is not listed here?  

Email [email protected] for more details and check out our New Partner Process here.

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