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PD opportunities draw new teachers and ESPs
By Scott McLennan
I n dispensing advice to early-career educators at the 2017 Just for New Teachers conference, their veteran colleagues reiterated the importance
of staying connected, seeking opinions and sharing
ideas, and avoiding self-imposed isolation.
Those words of wisdom — offered during
a New Member Committee panel discussion —
For the first time, the MTA fall regional
professional development day for education
support professionals was held in tandem with the
conference. Though the new teachers and the ESPs
participated in different workshops, they had the
opportunity to enjoy lunch together. When MTA Vice
President Erik J. Champy pointed out that National
ESP Day would be celebrated on Nov. 15, the teachers
responded with a round of applause for ESPs.
Both groups emphasized the value of ongoing
professional development.
One ESP session dealt with helping children
undergoing trauma in their lives. “We are dealing
with these issues day after day, so a training like this
makes it easier to help our students,” said Nicole
Jdey, an ESP who works in Walpole.
JFNT workshops covered subjects ranging from
classroom management to meditation and other self-care techniques. But before they began their sessions,
participants were treated to the panel discussion,
which was led by committee member Kathryn
Procter. The Agawam educator posed questions to
Please turn to Career/Page 21
The Just for New Teachers conference featured a panel discussion presented by the New Member Committee. From left to right in the photo at left
are committee members Kathryn Procter, Michelle Keane, Nikki Roberge, Gene Reiber and Rose Bell. The conference was held in tandem with a PD
day for ESPs. At right, Ed Jacoubs of the Plymouth County DA’s office presented a workshop for ESPs on dealing with students undergoing trauma.
Photos by Scott McLennan
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