JET’s History

JET was originally envisioned by a team of educators at UMass Dartmouth, Bristol Community College, and the school districts of Fall River and New Bedford to help resolve teacher shortages and low teacher retention rates in high-need schools. Led by Pam Herrup and Karen O’Connor, JET supported more than 110 paraprofessionals on their multi-year journey to a bachelor’s degree and teacher licensure in its first 10 years. 

Based on its strong results, JET was invited to become a program of the Massachusetts Foundation for Teaching and Learning in 2016. Since then, the program has expanded to 11 high-need districts across the state. 

JET currently partners with 13 urban school districts across Massachusetts. 

  • Boston Public Schools 

  • Brockton Public Schools 

  • Cambridge Public Schools 

  • Chelsea Public Schools 

  • Everett Public Schools

  • Fall River Public Schools 

  • Holyoke Public Schools 

  • Lowell Community Charter Public School 

  • New Bedford Public Schools 

  • Quincy Public Schools

  • Springfield Empowerment Zone Partnership 

  • Springfield Public Schools 

  • Worcester Public Schools