Relay Connecticut was approved as an educator preparation program in the fall of 2016 by the Connecticut State Department of Education to operate an Alternate Route to Certification Program.  The Relay Connecticut Alternate Route to Certification program is a part-time, non-credit bearing residency program designed for non-certified staff members employed within partner schools across the state of Connecticut. As an approved educator preparation program, Relay provides content-specific coursework for the certification of endorsement area(s).Â
During year one of the program, candidates complete Relay coursework, and Relay provides robust support to aid our students in passing the various certification assessments (Praxis II, Foundations of Reading). During the second year of the program, candidates receive additional instructional coaching and support with completing edTPA, a robust portfolio assessment required by the state of Connecticut.Â
Relay currently operates 18 campuses and serves teachers, school and systems leaders in 25 U.S. states and the District of Columbia, reaching nearly 5,000 educators.
- Government/Nonprofit organization
- New Haven, CT
In Relay Connecticut, I have found a learning space that is both challenging and encouraging, both rigorous and inspiring. I feel well equipped to create the same environment in my classroom.
Mychal Brown
- 19 monthsProgram DurationProgram duration can vary based on the number of courses taken per semester, summer semester enrollment, as well as other factors
- HybridProgram FormatCombination of in-person and online courses.
- Rolling DeadlineApplication Deadline
Relay’s mission is to empower teachers and school leaders to develop in all students the academic skills and strength of character needed to succeed in college and life. Our vision is to become the place where a new generation of continuously-improving, mission-driven individuals can fulfill their destiny in the world’s greatest profession.
The Relay Connecticut Alternate Route to Certification program is a part time non-degree, non-credit bearing program designed for non-certified staff members employed with partner schools. Relay offers certification in Elementary Education (Grades 1-6), Secondary Math (Grades 7-12), Secondary Sciences (Grades 7-12) and Secondary English Language Arts (Grades 7-12).  Candidates who successfully complete the program will be eligible for a Connecticut Temporary Teaching Certificate and, upon successful completion the edTPA portfolio, candidates will be eligible to apply for their Initial Educators certificate.
The Program is designed to accommodate the demanding schedules of full-time non-certified staff members. In total, 40% of the coursework can be completed online at your own convenience and skill level. Weekly in-person classes focus on deepening an aspiring educator's understanding through deliberate practice with a group of passionate, dedicated peers. In addition to online coursework, teachers will attend regular in-person sessions.Â
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The tuition at Relay is $17,500 per year. While this is our published price, Relay is committed to ensuring that our programs are affordable for teachers, especially those teaching in high-needs schools. After institutional aid from Relay and/or AmeriCorps, the cost of Relay Connecticut program will not exceed $6,000 over the course of the 19 month program.Â
Elementary, Grades 1-6
English, Grades 7-12
Mathematics, Grades 7-12
Program Overview
- Summer 1
- Theory related to mindsets of effective teachers
- Establishing classroom culture with practical skills and best practices
- Developing cultural consciousness
- Exploring the critical mindsets of effective teachers
- Setting a vision for classroom culture
- Planning the classroom-culture routines and systems
- Introduction to lesson planning
- Explore content-specific strategies and materials essential for establishing an intentional, positive, rigorous classroom
- Pedagogy and best practices related to specific content areas (varies by content)
- Fall 1
- Communicating effective teacher mindsets
- Writing standards aligned objectives
- Connecting teacher identity to cultural consciousness
- Introducing new material
- Getting to know students, families, and schools
- Strategies to engage everybody
- Designing and evaluating assessments
- Establishing an effective classroom culture
- Classroom-management strategies
- Time-Task Management
- Pedagogy and best practices related to specific content areas (varies by content)
- Spring 1
- Checking for understanding and responding to informal data
- Designing and facilitating effective student practice
- Using data to drive instructional choices
- Teaching exceptional learners
- Crafting your educational autobiography
- Reflecting on student growth and achievement
- Cultural Responsiveness
- Pedagogy and best practices related to specific content areas (varies by content)
- Summer 2
- Culturally responsive teaching
- Working with diverse communities
- Introduction to unit planning
- Introduction to character strengths
- Exploring language and learning
- Teaching Exceptional Learners in Writing and Reading
- Pedagogy and best practices related to specific content areas (varies by content)
- First Year Lead Teaching
- edTPA Workshops
Program Hallmarks
- Hands-On Experience
Relay Connecticut provides a Residency program where all Residents have a full time job in a partner K-12 School. This Residency module provides a gradual on-ramp to the into the teaching profession as Residents work throughout the entirety of the school year with their students and mentor teachers.
- Preparation for Diverse Populations
Relay Connecticut prioritzes working with uncertified staff from our Urban Districts. Relay Connecticut also prioritices enrolling students who have been historircally underrepresented in the Connecticut teaching work force. In addition, Relay Connecticut offers a robust curriculm infused with culturally responsive pedagogy.
- Mentoring & Coaching
All Relay Residents are provided an onsite Resident advisor to lesson plan, model and co-teach with Residents, lesson plan with Residents, All Relay Residents are also provided with a Faculty Advisor who provides observations, coaching and mentoring.
- Commitment to Improvement
All Relay Residents work to continuously increase their effectiveness as students. Embedded in the program are feedback loops that ensure that students continuously reflect and improve on their practice.
- Male
- Female
- 22%
- 78%
- American Indian or Alaskan Native
- Asian
- Black
- Hispanic/Latino
- Native Hawaiian/Other Pacific Islander
- White
- Two or more races
- 0%
- 4%
- 41%
- 14%
- 0%
- 33%
- 8%