Frequently Asked Questions
What is the JET program?
Journey into Education & Teaching (JET) is a support and mentoring program specifically designed for paraprofessionals who want to become licensed teachers but have yet to complete their bachelor’s degrees and teacher licensure requirements.
JET leads you to financial aid support and guides your college choice for enrollment.
JET provides individual mentoring by experienced local educators and professional learning and career development opportunities that help sustain you as you complete your multi-year journey to teaching.
Am I eligible?
To enroll in JET, you must be a paraprofessional employed for at least two years in a Massachusetts public school and not yet hold a bachelor's degree.
Eligibility requirements include:
Seeking a bachelor's degree
Employed for 2+ years as a paraprofessional in a Massachusetts public school
Permanent resident of Massachusetts for at least one year
U.S. citizen or non-citizen eligible for federal financial aid under Title IV regulations
Minimum 2.0 GPA in prior college coursework, if applicable
Not in default of federal or state student loans; no unpaid college bills
If I have a bachelor's degree, can I join JET?
No. JET only accepts paraprofessionals seeking a bachelor’s degree.
Is there a program fee for participating in JET?
If accepted to JET, all program services are free.
College tuition and fees are not covered by JET, but our program will help you access vital financial aid to cover all or most of your college costs.
Does admission to JET include admission to college?
No. Acceptance to JET does not guarantee admission to a higher education institution or the awarding of financial aid.
JET staff will support you through your college application, however, and help you apply to colleges that are a strong match for your background and goals. Virtually all of JET’s admitted program participants are successful in their college applications.
What are the benefits of the program?
JET’s benefits to educators are many.
1. Get support earning your bachelor’s degree.
JET provides guidance on the college admissions and enrollment processes and support accessing financial aid.
70% of past JET participants earned their bachelor’s degrees, compared to the national college completion rate of 40% for part-time adult college students.
2. Become a licensed teacher.
Complete the coursework and requirements for teacher licensure in Massachusetts.
Become eligible for a permanent teaching position in your district.
Licensed teachers earn approximately 2x the salary of paraprofessionals in Massachusetts.
3. Access a strong, long-term network of professional support.
Participate in mentoring from September to June that will help sustain you on your multi-year journey toward becoming a licensed teacher.
Connect with a peer network of paraprofessionals and other educators who will encourage and support you.
Access professional learning and career development opportunities on topics like navigating college services, understanding the teacher licensure process, learning technologies as an education tool, and hiring and employment processes in your district, among others.
How long does the program take?
The length of the program depends on where you are in your undergraduate studies when you enter the JET program. JET provides support throughout your journey to becoming a teacher. On average, participants spend about three years in the JET program.