Inclusive Schools Leadership Institute

Empowering leaders to build truly inclusive schools where exceptional learners thrive.

Three teachers collaborating in workshop.

Program Participants

The Inclusive Schools Leadership Institute (ISLI) program is designed for instructional leaders who aim to improve their systems in service of exceptional learners (Students with Disabilities and Multilingual Learners). Participants must have decision-making authority over implementing systems for exceptional learners, and may work in a variety of K-12 settings, including traditional school districts, independent schools, and charter management organizations. Participants are encouraged to attend with other leaders (e.g.: another school leader, SpEd Director, MLL Director, or principal supervisor). 

We seek leaders who already have strong foundational systems in place for data-informed instruction and observation and feedback, and who are eager to implement these systems in service of exceptional learners. Leaders who have previously completed a Relay program or work in schools/districts with established Weekly Data Meeting and Observation/Feedback structures are most likely to demonstrate readiness for ISLI.

Program Focus


ISLI prepares leaders to build authentically inclusive schools designed to improve academic and social-emotional outcomes for exceptional learners. When leaders do this, they strengthen schools for all learners.

Leaders will engage in a three-pronged approach to building inclusive schools:

  • Mindset examination
  • Knowledge and skill building
  • Systems redesign

Leaders will begin their work examining a core set of values that are essential to driving an inclusive culture, and what it means to build systems designed to support students socially and emotionally. Leaders will then apply those values as they build upon the protocols mastered in Observation and Feedback and Weekly Data Meetings, with a focus on coaching general educators to make grade-level instruction accessible to diverse learners, coaching special educators to deliver high-quality specialized instruction, designing and implementing high-quality instructional and behavioral interventions, and analyzing data with the exceptional learner in mind.

Program Experience

ISLI is a one-year fellowship program consisting of a 4-day in person Summer Intensive, bi-weekly virtual classes/sessions, and a virtual end-of-year convening. Participants will benefit from:

  • Expert faculty: Learn from experienced practitioners who have notable achievements in service of Exceptional Learners.
  • Regular feedback: Receive regular feedback on assessments.
  • A network of peers: Solve problems alongside high-performing peers facing similar challenges.

About Partnership

What makes a great partnership? Learn more about what kind of organizations we work with and how we support them in Conditions for Effective Partnership.

Or, look for answers to any general questions you may have on our FAQs page.

Program Schedule

Relay’s Instructional Leadership Academies have begun for School Year 2024-2025! This page will be updated with School Year 2025-2026 information by January 2025.

The Inclusive Schools Leadership Institute (ISLI) begins with an in-person Summer Intensive, and continues through the year with virtual programming.

Summer Intensive

July 10, 2024

Virtual I Half-day Orientation

July 15-18, 2024

In-Person (Chicago, IL) I Summer Intensive Sessions

School Year Sessions

Sept. 2024 - April 2025

Virtual I Biweekly sessions (twice per month). Sessions will be held on Tuesdays during the school day. Time TBD by cohort feedback.

Note: Asynchronous make-up sessions will be offered

May 2025

Virtual I 2-day End of Year Convening

Program Cost

$12,000 per participant

The program fee covers:

  • High-quality instructional professional development from experienced leaders
  • All course materials, licensing fees, and online access to electronic versions of resources
  • Hotel room during in-person session dates
  • Breakfast, lunch, and snacks during in-person sessions

Deadlines

Relay’s Instructional Leadership Academies have begun for School Year 2024-2025! School Year 2025-2026 deadlines will be updated by January 2025.

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As a student in the Inclusive Schools Leadership Institute, I gained both the skills and confidence to build the leadership skills to create an inclusive school and academic support for all learners.

- Mary Beth Ingram

“As a student in the Inclusive Schools Leadership Institute, I gained both the skills and confidence to build the leadership skills to create an inclusive school and academic support for all learners. This program has allowed me to set a  vision for an inclusive school and design an inclusive culture among staff and scholars. The program was intentionally organized with respect to readiness in data-driven instruction, specializing instruction and effective coaching. The final project allowed me to make changes within our school that had a direct positive impact on our student and adult culture. I would highly recommend this program to anyone wanting to expand their leadership and make their school a more inclusive environment.”

—Mary Beth Ingram

Dean of Special Services, Achievement First Bushwick Elementary School

Inclusive Schools Leadership Institute, 2019

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We are so excited to see the measurable progress not only in our students' achievement levels but in the continuous prioritization of Exceptional Learners by our faculty!

- Vanessa Cartwright

“Participating in ISLI has had such a tremendous impact on how Exceptional Learners are supported on our campus! We have been able to establish our ‘why’ around implementing Universal Design for Learning, adjust our collaboration structures to allow for general education and special education teachers to proactively lesson plan and analyze data, and we have adjusted our data analysis and observation protocols to prioritize progress for our Exceptional Learners. We are so excited to see the measurable progress not only in our students' achievement levels but in the continuous prioritization of Exceptional Learners by our faculty!”

—Vanessa Cartwright

San Antonio Independent School District

ISLI, 2021

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Student data soared at the campuses where I rolled out Relay projects and performance tasks and eventually I was able to implement the projects and performance tasks at most campuses in my portfolio.

- Ashley Wheeler

“Being a part of Relay’s SELA [ISLI] allowed me to systemize processes that drove forward equity for all learners. I was able to transform my practices to focus on utilizing a collaborative approach and ensuring that exceptional learners are the responsibility of our whole school system. Relay courses were organized in a manner that allowed me to put my learning into practice through projects and performance tasks to operationalize my organization’s Special Education practices to enhance the efficacy of instructional coaches, campus leaders and teachers’ knowledge, learning, and coaching skills. Student data soared at the campuses where I rolled out Relay projects and performance tasks and eventually I was able to implement the projects and performance tasks at most campuses in my portfolio.”

—Ashley Wheeler

IDEA Public Schools

ISLI alum 2019

News

Charting a Path to Equitable Education for Students with Disabilities report cover page

ISLI was spotlighted as a standout leadership program in a report on leadership pipeline programs that demonstrate a commitment to equity through an intentional focus on exceptional learners.

New to Relay? Or Just Have Questions?

We would love to discuss your team's needs and identify which programs would be a good fit. To get in touch, use the interest form linked below and add any questions you have in the “Optional” box.

Submit An interest Form

Ready to Request Seats?

Relay’s Instructional Leadership Academies have begun for School Year 2024-2025!

You can expect to see the Seat Request Form for our School Year 2025-2026 programs in January 2025.