It Takes Leaders to Build Learning Environments Where All Students Thrive
The research is clear: Exceptional Learners are capable of remarkable academic and social–emotional growth when schools are intentionally designed to support them. Achieving this kind of success requires visionary leaders who are ready to move beyond the status quo—building responsive systems and classrooms where Exceptional Learners, and in fact all students, can truly thrive.


Turning Your Vision Into Systems that Work
For over a decade, Relay has partnered with school and central office leaders committed to creating high-quality learning experiences for Exceptional Learners. Our program, Professional Learning for Differentiated Instruction and Support (PLDIS), formerly known as ISLI, has trained 321 leaders across 17 states, including California, Colorado, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Minneapolis, Missouri, New York, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee and Texas.
We work with principals, assistant principals, special education directors, multilingual program directors and other influential leaders who are uniquely positioned to shift systems and improve outcomes. Through PLDIS, we support leaders in designing, implementing, and refining:
- Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS)
- Tier 1 and 2 instruction
- Social-emotional and behavioral supports
- Student-centered school culture grounded in access and belonging
A Thought Partner for Any Challenge
We help leaders tackle many different challenges, including:
- Exceptional Learners are not seeing academic growth in Tier 1 settings. How can we improve?
- Exceptional Learners are being removed from class too often—how can we proactively meet academic and behavioral needs?
- We’re seeing increased trauma-related behaviors—how can we build a culture that better supports students?
- We want to implement or improve co-teaching practices. Where should we start?

Who are Exceptional Learners?
Exceptional Learners may refer to students with disabilities, multilingual learners, or any other student group that would benefit from a more tailored approach. When systems are designed with these learners in mind, all students benefit from stronger, more differentiated instruction and support.
Tailored Supports
We work with schools, districts, and CMOs to design professional learning that meets their context and goals. Our offerings are designed to move beyond compliance and toward systems that elevate learning outcomes for all students.

School Level Assessment (Hybrid)
- Comprehensive assessment of your MTSS, instructional practices, and support structures
- Includes observations of teaching methods, analysis of curriculum usage and resource allocation, stakeholder engagement, and data review.
- Outcome: A customized action plan tailored to the school or district’s unique needs with clear next steps for school or district improvement.

Student-Centered Leadership Intensive (In-person)
- A dynamic four-day training rooted in MTSS that builds leaders’ knowledge, planning skills, and instructional focus.
- Offers leaders practical strategies, actionable frameworks, practice opportunities, and time for action planning.
- Areas of focus:
- MTSS-aligned mindsets and systems
- Tier 1 academic instruction
- Tier 1 social-emotional learning (SEL)
- Strategic planning and implementation
- Outcome: Leaders walk away with actionable strategies, frameworks, and a 90-day plan to strengthen their Tier 1 academic, behavior, and/or culture systems.

Professional Learning Workshop Series (Hybrid)
- Targeted 3-hour workshops for leaders and school teams focused on building high-quality, tiered supports.
- Topics include:
- Tiered Behavioral Supports (4 sessions)
- Tier 1 Academic Supports (4 sessions)
- Tier 2 Academic Supports (2 sessions)
- Co-teaching (2 sessions
- All in-person series have a Strategic Planning component. For virtual sessions, this is an optional add-on.

Strategic Coaching (Hybrid)
- Ongoing and personalized 1:1 coaching to support leaders who have already attended PLDIS or ISLI trainings. This support is intended to help them turn insights into action at their school or district.
- Strategic consulting supports real-time problem-solving and sustained implementation of MTSS-aligned practices.

Dean of Special Services, Achievement First Bushwick Elementary School
“By working with Relay, I set a vision for an inclusive school and gained the skills and confidence to design an inclusive culture. This had a direct positive impact on our staff and students. I would highly recommend Relay to anyone wanting to expand their leadership and make their school a more inclusive environment.”
Start Your Journey
Our team is happy to talk with you about your needs and find the right professional learning opportunities for your schools and community.