PD Newsletter
Explore upcoming Professional Development opportunities and resources for August and September 2026!
To sign up to receive our bimonthly Professional Development Newsletter, please email Claire Slattery at claire@massafterschool.org.
Direct(or) Connection for OST!
Join fellow Out of School-Time (OST) directors and administrators in this exclusive networking opportunity, where we collectively support the success of our programs. Through this series, you'll have the chance to build valuable professional connections within the field, assess both current strengths and areas with potential growth, apply reflective practice strategies for continuous quality improvement plans, and gain fresh ideas and insights into best practices that can be seamlessly integrated into your work.
10:00 AM - 12:00 PM via Zoom
Mondays: 9/14, 10/5, 11/9, 12/7
Thursdays: 9/24, 10/29, 11/19, 12/17
Facilitated by Jennifer Reth, MAP
Thinking School Year?
Schedule your Professional Development now!
Click the image to explore MAP’s Professional Development Course Catalog.
Stay tuned for new additions coming soon!
Ready to get started? Click below to submit a request for PD.
Course Highlight:
Welcome to OST!
Designed for entry-level staff in the Out-Of-School-Time (OST) field focusing on essential knowledge & skills for educators covering topics like understanding children's learning processes, creating safe environments, and engaging youth in social skill development. The program also explores guidance techniques based on age-appropriate expectations, offering participants valuable free resources and practical job-embedded activities.
Curriculum to Start Off the School Year Right
5-Week Guides for Creating a Caring School Community
The more connected OST staff, students, and families feel to their environment, the more likely they are to find success. Now more than ever it is critical that educators use community building activities to foster positive relationships.
These FREE guides are ‘grab-and-go’ resources any educator can use to co-create a caring, supportive environment. All guides work with each other, following the same 5-week pathway.
Educators can use these 20-minute, grade-band specific activities to build a caring in-person or virtual classroom community. They are scaffolded and sequenced for 25 days. Available for grades k-2, 3-5, 6-8 and 9-12.
Interested in exploring free resources for afterschool programs?
Sign up to meet with MAP’s Program Support Specialist, Jennifer Reth!
Jen’s August Office Hours
August 10th 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM
August 11th 11:30 AM - 1:30 PM
August 19th 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM
August 20th 11:30 AM - 1:30 PM
Reach out to Jen at jreth@massafterschool.org to sign up for a time, or to find another time that works best for you.
MAP is Looking for Trainers to Join Our Team!
The Massachusetts Afterschool Partnership (MAP) is seeking experienced trainers to support OST professionals working in afterschool and summer programs across Massachusetts.
MAP is looking for engaging facilitators with expertise in program quality areas such as:
Positive youth development and social-emotional learning
Behavior management and trauma-informed practice
Inclusive programming and support for diverse learners
STEM, literacy, arts, and hands-on enrichment
Family engagement and cultural responsiveness
Program leadership, assessment/evaluation, staff development, and quality improvement
MAP trainings may be offered virtually or in person and can range from single workshops to multi-session professional learning communities. MAP has developed content and has resources for most sessions . Trainers can use MAP training content outlines and add their own resources. All content is tailored to the needs of the program.
If you are passionate about strengthening the afterschool workforce and helping programs create high-quality experiences for children and youth, we encourage you to connect with MAP!
For more information or to apply, please send your resume along with an email outlining your experience with youth to MAP’s Director of Professional Development, Lisa Demoulias at ldemoulias@massafterschool.org