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Relay’s curriculum is grounded in a set of evidence-based competencies that define the knowledge, skills, mindsets, and dispositions of effective teaching that drive PK-12 students’ academic and social-emotional development. The competencies are informed by national and subject-specific teaching standards and reflect a wide range of contemporary research on the science of learning and development, adult learning, and teacher education.
Conceptual Model - An evolving set of asset-based beliefs and mindsets encompasses three integrated spheres of teacher development: Culturally Responsive & Inclusive Environments knowledge of the Content and Curriculum, and pedagogy for Teaching All Learners. Relay students learn, practice, and perform competencies across the spheres in concert with one another to drive PK-12 student outcomes represented by a positive student experience, social-emotional development, and academic achievement.
Competencies - The set of knowledge and skills that all Relay prepared teachers will possess in service of their PK-12 students.
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Building a Culturally Responsive and Inclusive Learning Environment - The knowledge, skills, and dispositions that all teachers need to develop to meet the needs of culturally, linguistically, and academically diverse student populations and demonstrate in their work with students, families, and communities.
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Understanding Content and Curriculum - The deep and flexible understanding of academic content and foundational, cross-curricular skills that teachers must develop in order to support ALL PK-12 learners in making meaningful connections throughout the curriculum and to real-world contexts (Loewenberg Ball, Thames, & Phelps, 2008; Hill, Rowan, & Loewenberg Ball, 2005; Schulman, 1986).
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Teaching All Learners - The instructional practices that integrate content-specific assessment, planning, and instructional strategies in coordinated and engaging ways. This includes both core practices in the teaching and learning cycle, and content-specific practices, which represent the differences in pedagogical approaches across subjects and grade levels (Burn, Childs, & McNicholl, 2007; Loewenberg Ball & Forzani, 2009; Shulman, 1987).
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Beliefs & Mindsets - Teachers apply their knowledge and skills in the field in a way that reflects their beliefs and mindsets. At Relay, we explicitly support our students in developing the habits of mind of a culturally responsive and inclusive educator that will enable them to enact skills learned at Relay in service of equitable outcomes for all students. Overall, these beliefs and mindsets reflect the understanding that all learners and communities possess assets that should be leveraged to ensure all students meet ambitious academic and social-emotional goals.
Courses you will take
Relay students enrolled in the Master of Arts in Teaching and Post-Baccalaureate Certification programs in 2024-2025 can read about their academic plans on this site. These plans are recommended course sequences based on your selected state and academic pathway, and list required courses for program completion. Once enrolled please consult with your Relay advisor before finalizing your schedule. After reviewing the courses required for your program, check out the course descriptions here.