3
As a Relay student, you'll balance two important roles: full-time teacher and part-time graduate student. You'll have commitments and responsibilities to both your employer (our partner school or district) and to us at Relay. You’ll also spend time prepping for the certification exam required by your state and subject area. This article will help you understand what a typical week looks like, what happens during your classes, and how we support you throughout your journey.
Table of Contents
Start by viewing Relay's term dates here to help you plan ahead.
Your Classes and Coursework
Weekly Time Commitment
Plan for 10-15 hours of coursework per week outside of your teaching responsibilities. This includes attending evening classes, completing assignments, and preparing for your certification exam.
Class Schedule
All Relay classes take place online. Evening classes run from 5-7:30 p.m. or 6-8:30 p.m., and you'll never be enrolled in more than 2-3 courses at the same time. Depending on your program, you may occasionally attend Saturday courses.
Technology Requirements
As an online program, you'll need a camera, reliable high-speed internet, and comfort with technology. Classes require cameras on, single-task focus (close those extra browser tabs), and the ability to record brief teaching videos for analysis.
What Happens During Class
Your Relay classes combine several types of learning experiences:
-
Classroom coaching sessions: You'll analyze real classroom footage (yours and others), practice lesson delivery techniques, and receive immediate feedback from instructors with their own classroom experience.
-
Content methodology courses: These courses apply educational theory to what you’ll experience in the classroom. You'll learn classroom management strategies, how to facilitate discussions with breakout groups or full class participation, how to incorporate technology in ways that support learning, how to write clear lesson plans that start with your objectives and work backwards, how to authentically build relationships with students by incorporating their interests into your teaching, and how to support all learners from all backgrounds.
-
Certification preparation: You'll build your state certification portfolio and prepare for certification tests.
-
Specialty preparation: If you're pursuing Special Education certification, you'll learn to develop individualized education programs (IEPs), understand varied disability profiles, implement accommodations and assistive technology, and design specialized interventions for literacy, math, and social-emotional learning.
Types of Assignments You'll Receive
-
Video reflection cycles: Recording lesson segments for you to analyze and identify what needs improvement.
-
Progress evaluations: Submitting samples of key teaching skills to receive detailed feedback from your instructor.
-
Peer collaboration: Reviewing a classmate's lesson plan to provide constructive feedback and push each other to become better teachers.
-
Portfolio organization: Preparing to meet certification requirements by collecting and organizing evidence of your growth.
What You Won't Need to Worry About
-
Traditional exams: We don't administer tests because your real assessment happens in front of your students every day.
-
Lengthy theoretical papers: Instead of writing research papers about educational theory, you'll reflect on your actual teaching practice and analyze real student work.
-
Textbook purchases: We pay licensing fees to make sure all of your resources are accessible online.
If you're in the Relay Teaching Residency, you'll participate in clinical practice courses that include an intensive form of focused deliberate practice. This approach has been proven to help experts—from medical doctors to professional athletes—develop complex skills. You'll gradually build your skills, beginning first as a full-time teacher-in-residence supporting a lead classroom teacher
Whether you're a new-to-the-profession teacher-in-residence or a tenured teacher, teaching can be a heavy load. As an educator, you play a crucial role in creating a genuine community for your students.
Classroom Visits
During your teaching day, expect occasional classroom visits with an instructor who watches you teach and provides feedback.
At other universities, faculty members are asked to also serve as advisors. Instead, we hire dedicated Student Success Managers who receive specialized, ongoing training in advising. Instead of balancing multiple roles, your advisor is free to focus on helping you lighten your load.
Your Student Success Manager is assigned to you from enrollment through graduation and certification. It’s their job to connect you to teams across licensure, academics, financial aid, and enrollment—creating a true relay of support. You'll check in at least three to five times per term, and your advisor offers additional appointments multiple times per week.
What Your Student Success Manager Can Support You With
-
Selecting courses and charting your educational journey
-
Connecting you with the Student Financial Services team
-
Tracking your next steps for certification in your state
-
Preparing for licensure testing
-
Balancing your workload and prioritizing self-care
-
Setting goals and monitoring your progress
-
Working through challenging classroom dynamics with your co-teacher or colleagues
-
Finding job placements in your state
Here's a sample of what a typical week looks like for a Relay student:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
|
|
|
|
||
|
|
|
|
