Relay in the Media

A Blueprint for Instructional Practice, Continuous Improvement, and Leadership in North Carolina and Beyond

Henderson Collegiate, a public charter school in North Carolina, serves as a model for both instructional practices and leadership. The school, led by Relay Leverage Leadership Institute Alum Carice Sanchez, drives student success through a system of real-time instructional coaching and a relentless focus on continuous improvement.

4 ways AI is empowering the next generation of great teachers

Artificial intelligence is shaping a new era of teaching. Dr. Alice Waldron, senior vice president of teacher and leader preparation at Relay, writes about four ways AI is being used to support and empower the next generation of teachers, from scaling high-quality feedback to embracing a growth mindset. Relay recently partnered with TeachFX to pilot a program that uses AI-powered feedback tools to drive innovation.

Texas Law Targets Education Emergency of Uncertified Teachers in the Classroom

Texas is tackling a growing teacher shortage by limiting how many uncertified educators can lead classrooms. Under House Bill 2, signed into law earlier this summer, districts must steadily reduce their reliance on unlicensed teachers until only 5% remain by 2029. The move reflects a broader push to treat teaching as a true profession, with rigorous preparation, continuous learning and clear career pathways comparable to fields like medicine or law.

'Want More? Do More!' is a new, online EPP for teachers who need a license and want to better their craft

North Carolina has approved a new educator preparation program designed to help aspiring teachers build classroom skills while earning licensure. The “Want More? Do More!” Teacher Readiness Program, founded by leaders of Henderson Collegiate, offers a practice-based model where residents apply what they learn directly in their classrooms. The program includes coursework aligned to state standards, ongoing coaching and competency-based assessments, with the goal of preparing teachers more effectively and quickly than traditional pathways.

One word, meaningful impact: Creating classroom culture through collective dialogue

A simple shift in teacher language, replacing “Tell me” with “Tell us”, can transform how students experience classroom learning. By signaling that student contributions matter to the whole group rather than just the teacher, this change helps build community, elevate diverse voices and foster collective responsibility for learning. Educators who have adopted the practice report greater student engagement and stronger peer-to-peer dialogue, showing how small, intentional moves can create a more inclusive and collaborative classroom culture.