Hear what JET participants say
Spotify Podcast with JET Alumna
Kathy Pimental, JET alumna, tells about her journey from Paraprofessional to Teacher to JET Mentor in an interview with Carol Pelletier Radford, Founder of Mentoring in Action. This podcast is part of a series of interviews by Carol that accompany her latest book Teaching with Light. Thanks to Carol and Corwin Press for allowing us to share this podcast.
We hope you will listen to the entire 21 minute interview. Don't have 21 minutes? Fast forward for interview highlights as follows:
05:02 Start of interview
05:55. School Principal recommends Kathy to JET
06:22. JET helps overcome fear of returning to college
06:58. JET Program support
08:29. JET Program overview
10:32 Resilience
11:10. JET Cohort support
12:43. Overcoming challenges
16:15. Mentee becomes mentor
17:15. Advice
“The JET program was a key factor in helping me accomplish my bachelor's degree. Not only because of the financial help but [also the] constant support, guidance, and help throughout a process that was so foreign to me.
The staff answered my emails quickly and with the answers I needed. If they didn't know, they offered to find out the information.
JET went the extra mile to help us, even bringing us food to all the meetings! I felt their genuine care and support throughout the time I was part of the program. I would never forget all your words of encouragement and all JET’s efforts to see us succeed. I am very proud of being part of the JET program.”
— Tatiana Obeso, 2016 JET Cohort, Dance Teacher, Boston Arts Academy, Boston Public Schools (JET’s first licensed teacher)
“I always knew that I wanted to be a teacher, but the main thing that was holding me back was the financial burden. JET relieved a lot of that.
The biggest component for me was the motivation and the encouragement. You’re met with people that are pursuing the same thing that you’re pursuing, so you’re able to share your stories with them and troubleshoot.
It’s very beneficial, the people that they’ve brought in that give you nuggets of insight—whether it’s how to present yourself in interviews, or how to prepare, and what you should look for when you’re looking to become member of a team at a school.
JET has allowed me to achieve the things that I wanted to achieve.”
— Emmanuel Limage, 2016 JET Cohort, PreK-1 Teacher, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. K-8 School, Boston Public Schools
“JET saw the wealth of talent in classroom paraprofessionals and decided to invest in us. JET supported my journey in becoming a licensed teacher in the Boston Public Schools and worked with me every step of the way to ensure that I was staying on track. I grew more confident with the guidance and support of JET and my cohort members. I was very fortunate to receive a Teacher’s position in K0/K1 at my school. Thank you to the amazing JET.”
— Kamini Pulchansingh, Teacher, Martin Luther King, Jr. K-8 School, JET 2017 Boston Cohort
“My career goal is to become a teacher of early education, K1-3rd grade, in the Boston Public Schools.
Through the JET program, I’ve been given the opportunity to become an adult learner. It has helped me navigate through becoming a student again by helping me with financial aid, by supporting me through navigating courses, and what I need to support my continuing education.
The JET program has also offered me support from other educators letting me know about their own journey and what they went through, what they needed to do, and what steps they have taken to continue on to being the best educators that they could possibly be.
I love being a member of the JET program. It has given me the confidence, it has given me the backing, it has given me the support to be the best educator that I can possibly be to support the young minds that I work with each and every day.”
— Treena Hogan, 2017 JET Cohort, 3rd Grade Special Education Paraprofessional, Joseph Lee School, Boston Public Schools