Relay in the Media

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.

In the Bronx, two charter schools are making news in distinct ways. Bronx Charter School for the Arts is partnering with Relay Graduate School of Education to strengthen teacher retention. School leaders credit the program with boosting teacher satisfaction and student achievement. At the same time, Vertex Partnership Academies recently hosted U.S. Education Secretary Linda McMahon, who underscored the administration’s support for school choice during her visit.

Bronx Charter School for the Arts is working to strengthen teacher retention and student achievement through a partnership with Relay Graduate School of Education. Teachers participating in Relay’s coursework report gains in social-emotional learning, culturally responsive pedagogy and classroom practice, while school leaders point to improvements in student engagement and grades. Executive director Kathy Ortiz says the program has helped teachers feel more supported and effective, which in turn has translated into stronger outcomes for students.

Educators are increasingly seeking ways to bring artificial intelligence into classrooms responsibly. Dr. Alicia Waldron, Vice President of Innovation at Relay, offers a five-step framework that emphasizes classroom needs, ethical considerations, clear goals and ongoing evaluation. The goal is to ensure technology adoption strengthens teaching and learning rather than adding to teacher workload.

Adelante Schools’ investment in early literacy is showing strong results. Reading scores for students in kindergarten through second grade have risen by 50 to 60 points, and 83 percent of kindergarteners are now on grade level. Teachers credit data-driven instruction, practice-based coaching and strategies grounded in the science of reading, supported by Relay Graduate School of Education, as key factors in the progress.