Relay Alumni: JenaLynn Settles
Relay Graduate School of Education didn’t just prepare JenaLynn Settles to become a teacher. It prepared her for life. After earning her Master of Arts in Teaching in 2023, she went on to teach fifth-grade English Language Arts (ELA) in a San Antonio charter school, then served in a public school in Lytle, Texas. What followed was more than a career. It was a calling.
For Ms. Settles, teaching is deeply personal. “It doesn’t matter what career path, skin color, or religion: everyone has a purpose,” she says. “Being part of that journey—helping someone discover their purpose—goes well beyond the paycheck.”
Her passion is rooted in her own upbringing in a low-income community marked by systemic disparities. “I see myself in every student I teach,” she explains. Building strong relationships with students and their families is central to her philosophy. “I didn’t have that growing up. Getting to know them, communicating with them, becoming a liaison between school and home—that’s what makes the difference.”
At Relay, Ms. Settles developed the communication skills, compassion, and situational awareness that define her approach today. After earning a Bachelor of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies at Texas A&M, she chose Relay because, as she puts it, “no other program offered what Relay did.” She appreciated the gradual increase in responsibilities, the guaranteed teaching position, and the structure of a three-year contract.
“It was a different type of program. Relay set you up for success; you didn’t just dive into the classroom,” she recalls. “The first year, I was a co-teacher, learning one-on-one with my mentor. It was okay to make mistakes. In years two and three, I had my own classroom while earning my Master’s. And all along, I was getting paid and gaining hands-on experience.”
Ms. Settles didn’t just thrive. She excelled. A mother of three teenage daughters and wife to a military service member frequently deployed, she remained disciplined and determined. She made the Dean’s List and spoke at graduation.
She was also deeply impressed with Relay’s commitment to equity and inclusion, especially its focus on fostering positive behaviors over traditional discipline. Perhaps most notably, Relay matched her with a school just blocks from where she grew up. “I was placed in a predominantly Hispanic classroom, which was perfect. Relay really took the time to understand my background, values, and strengths. No other school does that.”
Today, Ms. Settles creates a classroom culture rooted in respect and inquiry. Socratic seminars and tight classroom management are hallmarks of her teaching style. “I encourage students to bounce ideas off each other, listen, and speak with confidence—like they would in college. It helps them develop not just academic skills, but life skills.”
Those skills extend well beyond the classroom. In her free time, Ms. Settles teaches fitness classes at Fitness 4 Life in Lytle, where she uses her teaching techniques to engage students of all ages, including seniors. “Relay taught me how to project and connect with people. It’s helped me in everything I do.”
She also serves as Commander Secretary for the State and Family Readiness Program (SFRP) with the National Guard’s 236th Military Police Unit—her husband’s unit. In this role, she supports military families with resources and counseling. “As a teacher—and in life—you have to understand that everyone comes from a different place. Everyone matters.” In the summertime, she helps with marketing and interior design at Flasher Equipment Company. “Had I not trained in communication and technology with Relay, none of these doors would have opened.”
Looking ahead, Ms. Settles hopes to move into school administration. “I want to take everything I’ve learned in the classroom and use it to help more students and families, maybe even become a college career counselor.”
Her advice to aspiring teachers? “Relay challenges you. If I can do it, so can anyone.”