Welcome New JET Scholars!

The 2022-2023 JET Cohort of Scholars was launched in an Orientation on August 24.  The new cohort is made up of 25 paraeducators from across 10 partner urban school districts.  JET staff were thrilled to officially welcome them.  

Having already conquered the challenges of filling out FAFSA, applying for the Massachusetts Paraprofessional Teacher Preparation Grant, and enrolling in local colleges, the new Scholars arrived ready to meet their peers and prepare for what would come next in their educational journeys. 

Orientation activities not only provided critical information about next steps in the journey to become classroom teachers, but also provided opportunities for celebration, mingling, and lively discussion.

The program began with an Icebreaker Poll that revealed that 56% of the Scholars and District Liaisons in attendance were the first in their families to enroll in college, representing a major accomplishment for these individuals and showing the barriers they are overcoming to reach their goals. Over half of attendees reported already having 7 or more years of experience working in schools, showcasing the wealth of knowledge and classroom experience in the room. We also learned a little about attendees’ diverse culinary preferences, which ranged from “Chocolate” to “Puerto Rican Food” to “Italian Subs”!

JET Staff shared information about the Benefits and Commitments of being a JET Scholar and invited feedback from members of the new cohort about what each element of the program meant to them. This was followed by a presentation on the JET Mentoring Program, which provides key support for a scholar’s success.  Scholars are paired individually with an experienced educator in their district throughout their journey in JET.  Scholars had the opportunity to interact with each other while roleplaying the first meeting with their mentor.

JET wishes the very best of luck to the 2022-23 JET Cohort as they embark on both the new school year as paraeducators and a new academic year of college courses as JET scholars!