Testimonials (click to expand)

• Ardith Wieworka

  CEO, Mass. Afterschool Partnership
  Exec. VP, Child Development and Education

  “Dr. Jody Figuerido is a leader in the field of training and professional development for the early education and care field. Under Jody’s direction, the Institute of Education and Professional Development has become the flagship organization for educators who wish to improve quality in their programs and promote positive outcomes for children. IEPD’s trainings are engaging, relevant and research based. I highly recommend IEPD for you, your staff and your program!”

• Maria Torres de Martinez

  Executive Director of Child Care Services
  Merrimack Valley YMCA

  “Jody Figuerido and her IEPD team are truly the best of the best.  Our Merrimack Valley YMCA collaborate with IEPD for all trainings and have most recently began a collaboration to increase awareness in diversity and inclusion throughout our entire association. The IEPD team takes the time to ask the right questions in order to make sure that the training is tailored to the program’s specific needs. I personally received training on the Environmental Rating Scale scoring procedures for preschool and the knowledge I gained was without doubt the most I have acquired in my last five years of working with the scales. IEPD is our training institute of choice.”

• Elizabeth A. Reedy

  Vice President, Regional Development Director, Region 5 EPS
  Child Development and Education, Inc.

  “Dr. Jody Figuerido has been instrumental to the professional development of Educators in the Commonwealth. Under her leadership and expertise, she and her team have prepared Educators of young learners by providing research based comprehensive strategies to the field. As a Partner with the Educator and Provider Support grant in Region 5 and the statewide QRIS Measurement Tools grant, Dr. Figuerido has developed and facilitated high quality CEU trainings that meet the direct needs of the Commonwealth and the early education field and her consultation services to participating Educators have played a significant role in the success of their program improvement planning and individual professional development, thereby positively impacting the outcomes of the children in their care! When considering training needs to enhance your program, I highly recommend the Institute for Education and Professional Development.”

• Sue Hamlett

  Professional Development Specialist
  Educator and Provider Support of Western MA (EPS)

  “During the past year we have had the pleasure of working with staff at the Institute for Education and Professional Development to schedule trainings for early childhood and out of school time educators in Western Mass. The office staff are professional, friendly and work in a timely and efficient manner. The trainers are extremely knowledgeable, presenting high quality trainings with the most current information. We highly recommend them to anyone looking for great, high quality trainings.”

• Donna Jasak

  “It’s always a pleasure to work with the folks at IEPD. I have had the opportunity to work with Jody and her staff on several occasions; some of those include participating in trainings offered by IEPD, scheduling training with them through my work at the Region 6 EPS, and subcontracting with IEPD as an instructor for a few trainings. In all of my interaction with Jody and IEPD, I have found everyone to be professional, organized and most importantly experts in the field of Early Education in Massachusetts.  I would not hesitate to recommend or contract with IEPD for Professional Development needs.”

• Karen W.

  Early Childhood Teacher

  I wanted to let you know I enjoyed this webinar - you gave me lots of new ideas and an introduction as to how to actually use the guidelines. I have never used them and when I started looking I really had no idea how to begin. It was very helpful to learn how to web a plan too.

• Margie Wheeler

  Early Childhood Educator

  I am so excited about IEPD’s new website! It is well organized, easy to navigate and informative. The choices of formats can meet anyone’s needs. As a Family Child Care provider, I prefer the convenient webinar format, and will utilize these affordable options. The first webinar I have taken through IEPD was clear, easy to understand and had a balance of presenter and optional attendee participation. These essential topics focus on QRIS standards, and the Core Competencies which all early education providers are seeking to move forward with their IPDP’s and career ladders. I hope to also explore the consultation services for my program. Thank you for making this available to educators! Margie Wheeler

• Tammy Parella

  Education/Disabilities Coordinator, WCAC

  As part of our Practice Based Coaching initiative in WCAC Head Start, we asked Jody to provide professional development and consultation related to CLASS observations in our classrooms. Jody’s expertise in this area was beneficial to our teachers so they knew what was expected of them in their classroom not just during the CLASS observations but on a daily basis in the Early Childhood Setting. She shared practical strategies and tips on how to make the most of your CLASS observations and how to set goals and work on this goal to make your classroom environment successful.  Our staff left with a renewed sense of commitment to the important work of classroom coaching from Jody. She has brought a wonderful blend of knowledge related to teaching in an Early Childhood Setting. Jody’s professional development and observations done in our classrooms was certainly an inspiring experience and we have seen growth in our classrooms due to the goals Jody has helped work on with our teachers.