Academic Coach

Location: Remote/Flexible within the US

Department: Licensure Exam Preparation

Position Type: Part-Time Contract (4-10 hours per week)

Priority Application Deadline: 10/31/25

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

The Relay Graduate School of Education seeks experienced educators to serve as Academic Coaches in the Licensure Exam Preparation Department. Academic Coaches will work directly with teacher candidates to strengthen their content knowledge, enhance their study skills, and improve test-taking strategies to prepare for educator licensure exams (e.g., Praxis, GACE, NYSTCE, ILTS, PECT, TExES). Coaches will also support candidates in managing test anxiety and fostering academic confidence through individualized coaching and evidence-based strategies.

Key Responsibilities

Instructional Coaching & Academic Support (4 -6 hours per week)

• Prepare for (e.g., send calendar invites and email reminders, gather study resources and/or practice items, create agendas, etc.) and provide up to six one-on-one hour long academic coaching session per week  in core licensure subject areas (e.g., Special Education, Pedagogy).
• Teach content, review practice items, create personalized study plans, and make referrals to study resources aligned to Special Education exams
• Analyze candidate data on score reports, practice items, and diagnostic exams, using data to adjust instruction during coaching sessions as needed
• Offer targeted support to build candidates’ test-taking strategies, including time management, item analysis, and response elimination techniques.
• Become familiar with the licensure exams you are assigned to support (e.g., Praxis Elementary Education: Multiple Subjects (5001), NYSTCE Mathematics (004) exam, Praxis General Science (5436), TExES English Language Arts and Reading 7–12 (231), etc.)
• Monitor progress and adapt coaching based on candidate data and performance.
• Create a culturally responsive and welcoming environment in 1:1 settings, demonstrating respect for candidates’ diverse backgrounds and experiences and establishing positive relationships with candidates throughout coaching
• Guide teacher candidates in cultivating growth mindsets, self-efficacy, and self-directed learning practices as they prepare for their licensure exams
• Utilize active listening and questioning strategies to further diagnose needs and monitor progress

Test Anxiety Management

• Support teacher candidates to identify and navigate test anxiety by implementing interventions such as mindfulness techniques, confidence-building activities, and self-regulation strategies.
• Foster a supportive coaching environment rooted in cultural responsiveness, empathy, and high expectations.

Collaboration & Communication (1-2 hours per week)

• Participate in onboarding and professional development opportunities with Relay’s licensure assessment preparation department to improve coaching  skills, grow cultural competencies, and utilize feedback and reflection
• Share resources used in coaching  sessions and provide feedback on coaching protocols and structures to the licensure exam preparation department
• Communicate regularly with licensure preparation program leadership to align support with coursework and program benchmarks.

Qualifications

• Valid teaching certificate in special education
• At least 3 years of work experience as a certified special education teacher
• Strong grasp of the content area (e.g., elementary education core subjects and pedagogy)
• Experience teaching or facilitating professional development for adult learners in an online environment preferred
• Ability to maintain confidentiality
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Alignment with Relay’s mission
• Bachelor's degree required
• Authorized to work in the U.S.
• Familiarity with licensure exams such as Praxis, GACE, NYSTCE, ILTS, PECT, or TExES
• Knowledge of culturally responsive teaching

Compensation

Relay is committed to creating and maintaining a compensation and benefits system that supports our ability to recruit and retain a diverse and talented team. As we make decisions about compensation, we will be guided by the following values: clarity, consistency, and internal equity. This role is paid at a rate of $30 per hour. To ensure internal pay equity:

• Relay does not currently differentiate starting salary offers based on years of experience
• Relay does not negotiate salary offers

WORK LOCATION POLICY

Employees must have a primary work location within the U.S., where they are legally authorized to work. Relay is a registered employer in the following states: California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, Washington State and Washington DC. Please note that Relay Graduate School of Education's headquarters are in New York City. Employees who choose to perform work from states not listed here will be subject to NYC state withholdings.

Relay Graduate School of Education provides equal employment opportunity for all applicants and employees.