An in-depth look at June’s More than a Seat at the Table podcast episode by GSP Coaching Associate and DEW Collaborative Member Darthula Mathews.

 

Please, have a seat at the table, and let’s talk. At the heart of the Diversifying the Educator Workforce (DEW) Collaborative’s work is a rock-solid belief: diversity in the educator workforce isn’t just a goal—it’s a commitment to educational justice. Anchored in the DEW Framework, this post zooms in on one powerful area of action: Supporting Program Completion. 

Read: DEW Framework Slice – Supporting Program Completion
Explore: Diversifying the Educator Workforce Collaborative: Fostering Synergy for Impact

In the Room Where It’s Happening

In December 2024, I had the honor of attending the 1 Million Teachers of Color: New England State Policy Summit at Boston University (home of the Wampanoag and Massachusett People). There, I met Romie Robertson, Co-Executive Director of Journey Into Education & Teaching (JET)—a leader who radiates purpose. What struck me most about Robertson wasn’t just her passion for diversifying the educator workforce, but her openness to collaborate. When you listen to her episode of More Than a Seat at the Table,  Forging a Path: How JET is Transforming Lives, you’ll hear why JET’s story—and Robertson’s journey—are vivid examples of how supporting program completion can be a game changer. Because here’s the truth: recruitment alone is not enough, especially for BIPOC/Global Majority educators navigating systems that weren’t built with them in mind.

Supporting Completion Isn’t Optional—It’s Essential 

Let’s be honest: inviting people into the profession is only step one. We must build systems that help them stay and thrive. That’s the pulse of the DEW Framework’s focus on Supporting Program Completion. Educators—teaching assistants, paraprofessionals, and other community-based staff — especially those from underrepresented backgrounds – face real and relentless hurdles, such as:

• Rising tuition
• Unclear pathways
• Family obligations
• Licensing barriers
• And—too often—a deficit-based narrative questioning their value

That’s why this framework area of action matters. DEW partners like JET are changing the narrative by: 

• Building cross-sector partnerships 
• Providing tangible support 
• Redefining success and sustainability for future teachers 

On More Than a Seat at the Table, Robertson puts it plainly: “There is a lot of social and economic capital that’s required to navigate through the American higher education system… JET fills in those gaps.” Robertson is being humble here. 

Currently, 70% of JET participants are on track to earn a bachelor’s degree, compared to just 40% of other adult, part-time students nationally. Even more powerfully, JET boasts an 89% completion rate for its scholars, compared to just

47% of Black teacher candidates nationally. That’s not just progress—it’s a pathway cleared.

Meet Romie Robertson: Passion With Purpose 

Robertson is DEW in action. A former high school English teacher and JET graduate intern turned co-executive director, she brings lived experience and transformational leadership to her work. “People stick with JET because it’s not transactional. It’s transformational. It’s personal.” 
Robertson shares how mentorship within JET helped her grow not just professionally, but holistically, as a whole person. Hearing Robertson felt like listening to a familiar truth out loud: sometimes what we need most is someone who sees us before they try to shape us.

The JET Journey: From Pilot to Powerhouse 
JET began in 2016 as a pilot at UMass Dartmouth (home of the Wampanoag), supporting paraprofessionals—many multilingual and from BIPOC communities—toward licensure. Today, it’s a statewide nonprofit with a fully remote, relationship-driven model. 
Robertson explains on the podcast, “Paraprofessionals often come from the communities where their students live… but without that license, they’re not earning what they deserve.” JET sees their potential and walks with them, offering: 

• Licensure prep
• Exam support
• Professional development
• Most importantly, mentorship and community

Their approach is practical, personal, and deeply human-centered. As JET’s website says: “Money should never be the reason someone stops pursuing a teaching license.”

 

From Completion to Collective Momentum 

JET now serves 100+ scholars across 30+ districts, building a model for what’s possible when systems invest in completion. It’s not just about getting to the table—it’s about ensuring future educators can stay, grow, and lead. 

I invite you to listen to the “More Than a Seat at the Table” episode featuring Robertson. After, visit the JET website for more info and consider how your work might support program completion where you are.

 

 

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About the Author

Darthula Mathews (pronounced Da-too-la) is a coaching associate with the Great Schools Partnership. She brings over a decade of experience working in both higher and secondary education with a wealth of experience in supporting students, families, alumni, mentors, and community partners. Most recently, she worked as an Advisor at the Metropolitan Regional Career and Technical Center (the Met), a high school centered on real-world and project-based learning. In addition to her teaching obligations, she served as a leader and liaison for various Anti-Bias and Anti-Racist programming, including facilitating a weekly affinity group championing BIPOC students and their personal and academic growth.  Prior to the Met, Darthula worked in a variety of roles at both the Community College of Rhode Island and the University of Rhode Island (URI).

Learn More About Darthula