Each month, The Relay® Report brings you powerful stories, research, upcoming events, and updates from across our network. Subscribe to get it directly in your inbox:
- A Note from Relay's President
- From Turnaround to Transformation: Pueblo’s Path to Lasting Improvement
- How Strategic Collaboration and Coaching Improved Outcomes at PS176Q in Queens, NY
- Alumni Spotlight: Devin Evans
- Cultivating Classroom Culture Through Collective Dialogue
- Employee Spotlight: LaResha Jola-Isiba
A Note from Relay's President
As we approach the final stretch of the school year, I’ve been reflecting on what it truly means to “finish up strong,” which was one of the mottos of the school where I first taught. At Relay, we believe that finishing strong isn’t just about endurance, it’s about intention. It’s about the decisions educators make every day to ensure their students, schools, and teams close the year with clarity, purpose, and connection.
In this edition, you’ll find stories that exemplify that spirit.
From Pueblo, Colorado, we see how a district’s investment in long-term leadership development – not quick fixes – helped it exit turnaround status and build a sustainable culture of instructional excellence. In Queens, New York, we learn how Principal Marisa Castello used collaborative planning and support from Relay coaching to elevate teacher practice and student achievement across her school.
We also celebrate the voices of individual educators. In Chicago, alumnus Devin Evans continues to shape outcomes as both a department chair and aspiring principal, using the data-driven tools he honed at Relay. Professor Jacob Schiffrin offers timely insights into how structured, student-led dialogue can deepen engagement and reinvigorate classroom culture during these final weeks. And this month’s employee spotlight on LaResha Jola-Isiba reminds us that leadership comes in many forms—and that behind every great system is a great strategist bringing it to life.
These stories all point to a common truth: strong finishes aren’t accidental. They’re built day by day, relationship by relationship, strategy by strategy. We’re proud to be part of the journey alongside you.
Wishing you a powerful close to the school year, and the energy to carry your impact forward. Let’s finish up strong!
Dr. Mayme Hostetter, President
From Turnaround to Transformation: Pueblo’s Path to Lasting Improvement
When Pueblo School District 60 entered Colorado’s EASI program, the challenge was clear: drive lasting change. Rather than opt for quick fixes, Pueblo partnered with Relay to build deep, ongoing professional learning for education leaders.
Five years later, that investment paid off—shifting mindsets, improving student outcomes, and helping the district exit turnaround status. Pueblo’s journey is a powerful reminder that sustainable school improvement starts with investing in people.
"Having the opportunity to share with other leaders makes you feel part of a community and that you're not in this boat alone. It's helpful to meet other schools across the country who are struggling with similar situations and hear how they are making gains and overcoming challenges."
L Santillan
Assistant School Leader
How Strategic Collaboration and Coaching Improved Outcomes at PS176Q in Queens, NY
At PS 176Q in Queens, Principal Marisa Castello saw that despite existing instructional supports, student outcomes were still falling short. In response, she introduced a more collaborative approach focused on strengthening the alignment and rigor of student work. With guidance from her Relay leadership coach, this shift led to stronger student outcomes and deeper teacher collaboration—showing how focused leadership and shared practice can move the needle on learning.
Alumni Spotlight: Devin Evans
Devin Evans knew he wanted to be a teacher from a young age, when he would grab chalk and teach his teddy bears on his mother’s steps.
Now he is a social studies teacher and department chair in Chicago Public Schools, leading notable student growth alongside his colleagues. He’s also training to become a principal - and he says he still uses the lessons he learned at Relay, every day.
Cultivating Classroom Culture Through Collective Dialogue
As the school year concludes, maintaining a dynamic and purposeful classroom environment is crucial. In his article, Jacob Schiffrin, Professor of Elementary Curriculum Design at Relay, emphasizes the significance of structured, student-led dialogues in fostering a strong classroom culture. Drawing from observations across K-12 classrooms, Schiffrin illustrates how intentional conversations can deepen student engagement, promote critical thinking, and reinforce a sense of community. Implementing these practices in the final weeks can revitalize student interest and ensure a meaningful conclusion to the academic year.
