Honoring and Celebrating Angie Irving

We would like to honor Angie Irving for her contributions to making JET a successful program. Angie joined JET in 2016, when JET became a program of the Massachusetts Foundation for Teaching and Learning. JET would not be where it is today if it weren’t for Angie’s commitment, passion, systems thinking, and strength. She will be leaving her position as Operations Coordinator, and moving on to the next stage in her life. 

Angie was born and raised in Boston, Massachusetts, and attended Boston Public Schools. She earned her master’s degree as an adult while working and raising children simultaneously. She has over 40 years of experience in higher education administration in Boston and Cambridge. Her work has included directing teacher preparation and professional development programs at Lesley University and Northeastern University. She directed a teacher preparation program for first generation college students and the Education Policy Fellowship Program at Northeastern University’s School of Education, helping adults of color advance their professional careers. Angie earned her undergraduate degree from UMass Boston and a master’s degree in Public Administration from Northeastern University. 

Angie’s professional and personal background has informed JET’s model. Angie recognized that paraeducators need services that are very unique because their roles may include being a parent, having multiple work obligations, and oftentimes being a first generation college student. She valued the fact that paraeducators bring a wealth of classroom experience, and the reason for entering or returning to academia is to improve their working skills, develop their careers, and make a better life. When JET began to expand to other districts in Massachusetts, Angie cultivated partnerships with school, district, and higher education partners to ensure that paraeducators are supported at every step of the way during their entire journey. A true collaborator, Angie prioritized diversity, equity, and inclusion with internal and external colleagues. She has been instrumental in creating systems and structures to ensure the effective operations of JET, and has very much been the engine of the organization’s success. 

Angie will truly be missed. She has been an inspiration to me during my tenure at JET, and I have learned so much from her. I am sure that the great work that she has done will help carry JET forward in a positive direction.