Relay Graduate School of Education Pioneers AI-Powered Teacher Simulators with Major Seed Funding

Innovative simulators provide early-career teachers with real-time feedback, blending AI technology with human coaching for enhanced professional development.

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New York, NY— Relay Graduate School of Education, an accredited not-for-profit institution serving thousands of teachers and education leaders across the country, has been awarded $200,000 by NewSchools Venture Fund to kickstart the development of an AI-driven teaching simulator. Once fully funded and built, the simulator will open access to individualized practice and feedback opportunities for educators.

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The simulator will provide affordable and customizable practice scenarios, allowing educators to build and refine skills across different grades, subjects and classroom settings. The initial simulator will focus on helping early-career teachers to hone foundational teaching skills—like building relationships with students and engaging students in classroom discourse. Ultimately, the simulator will allow educators at every stage of their career to practice crucial skills—from framing open-ended questions to addressing a misconception in a calculus problem.  

“Decades of research show that teachers play the most significant role in student learning, and the quality of their preparation is essential for student success. This grant from NewSchools to develop an AI-driven teaching simulator will provide endless opportunities for deliberate practice and high-quality feedback, helping teachers become more prepared and accelerating student outcomes,” said Mayme Hostetter, President, Relay Graduate School of Education. “While training and professional development from skilled human educators will always remain the foundation of our approach, integrating cutting-edge AI technology will allow us to open access and scale high-quality practice and feedback opportunities to more educators.”  

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The simulator will address a critical need to better prepare educators for the increasingly complex demands of today’s classrooms. By offering real-time feedback and practice, the simulator provides a risk-free environment where teachers can hone their skills before stepping into the classroom. This is particularly vital in light of the growing teacher shortage and the increasing demands placed on educators to meet diverse student needs.  

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This investment is just the first step toward the impact this simulator will have in equipping teachers with the tools they need to be more effective from day one. Relay is actively seeking additional philanthropy to support the development of this cutting-edge innovation.

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Inspired by simulation training in other professions, Relay aims to democratize high-quality practice and feedback opportunities for educators, helping them lead students toward better academic outcomes and mitigating teacher burnout. If you’re interested in learning more about Relay's efforts to develop AI-driven solutions for educators, please contact development@relay.edu.  

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About NewSchools

NewSchools Venture Fund is a venture philanthropy committed to building a better education system by connecting people, resources, and ideas. We bridge the gap between those with capital and those with the courage to put that capital to work on the frontlines of education. Learn more at newschools.org.    

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About Relay Graduate School of Education 

Relay Graduate School of Education is an accredited not-for-profit institution of higher education serving thousands of teachers and education leaders across the country. Our mission is to ensure that all students are taught by excellent educators, to build a more just world where every student has a clear path to a fulfilling life.