Reflect, Refresh, Reach Forward was the theme of JET’s midyear meeting which included JET staff, participants from all districts, JET mentors, and district liaisons. Given the continued uncertainty in so many aspects of life as we’re approaching two years of living with the COVID-19 pandemic, we wanted to use our time together to reflect on successes and challenges, refresh heading into the new year, and reach forward toward achieving future goals.

In June, JET held its first ever virtual end of year/welcome new cohort meetings in each of its six partner districts. While it took some adjustments and we missed the in-person experience, JET participants, mentors, district liaisons and staff were still able to come together, reconnect, catch up and form new connections.

It is critical to students’ development and learning, especially in urban areas, to keep paraprofessionals employed. Without paras, urban districts lack the teacher cultural diversity that is so important to students’ success.

JET’s “Participant Spotlight” series highlights fun facts about our participants. This installment in the series features Kendall Junior from Springfield Public Schools.

JET’s “Participant Spotlight” series highlights fun facts about our participants. This installment in the series features Greg Berry from Boston Public Schools.

JET’s “Participant Spotlight” series highlights fun facts about our participants. This is our second installment in the series, featuring Alicia Lucas from New Bedford Public Schools.

In January, JET staff worked with district liaisons to organize and hold mid-year check-ins with JET participants and their mentors.

During the final weeks of the summer, JET held orientation sessions for its new cohort of paraprofessionals in five districts across Massachusetts.

On June 12, JET staff welcomed its first cohort of 13 Brockton paraprofessionals. These paras had completed the JET onboarding processes of successful financial aid approval and college admissions. We were also joined by Human Resource Director and Assistant Director from the Brockton Public Schools.

Over the last few months, I had the opportunity to speak to one of our JET mentors as well as one of our JET mentees who have been a part of our mentorship program this past year.

As a new intern with the JET program, I was unsure what to expect when I walked into the room at Shelburne Community Center in Roxbury on Saturday, October 13. Of course I understood JET’s mission and all the wonderful things the program does to support paraprofessionals in the Boston area; however, I had yet to see our cohorts and program in action.