diff --git a/.env.example b/.env.example
index 296ae0f0..47b91eff 100644
--- a/.env.example
+++ b/.env.example
@@ -22,3 +22,5 @@ EMAIL_AUTH_PASS=
 EMAIL_FROM=no-reply@compassiep.org
 EMAIL_HOST=localhost
 EMAIL_PORT=1025
+
+BASE_URL=http://localhost:3000
diff --git a/src/backend/emails/_button.html.ejs b/src/backend/emails/_button.html.ejs
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..9fb10386
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/backend/emails/_button.html.ejs
@@ -0,0 +1,15 @@
+<table role="presentation" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="btn btn-primary" style="border-collapse: separate; mso-table-lspace: 0pt; mso-table-rspace: 0pt; box-sizing: border-box; width: 100%; min-width: 100%;" width="100%">
+  <tbody>
+    <tr>
+      <td align="left" style="font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: top; padding-bottom: 16px;" valign="top">
+        <table role="presentation" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="border-collapse: separate; mso-table-lspace: 0pt; mso-table-rspace: 0pt; width: auto;">
+          <tbody>
+            <tr>
+              <td style="font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: top; border-radius: 4px; text-align: center; background-color: #0867ec;" valign="top" align="center" bgcolor="#0867ec"> <a href="<%= url %>" target="_blank" style="border: solid 2px #0867ec; border-radius: 4px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold; margin: 0; padding: 12px 24px; text-decoration: none; text-transform: capitalize; background-color: #0867ec; border-color: #0867ec; color: #ffffff;"><%= label %></a> </td>
+            </tr>
+          </tbody>
+        </table>
+      </td>
+    </tr>
+  </tbody>
+</table>
diff --git a/src/backend/emails/_footer.html.ejs b/src/backend/emails/_footer.html.ejs
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..53848d19
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/backend/emails/_footer.html.ejs
@@ -0,0 +1,31 @@
+                </td>
+              </tr>
+
+              <!-- END MAIN CONTENT AREA -->
+              </table>
+
+            <!-- START FOOTER -->
+            <div class="footer" style="clear: both; padding-top: 24px; text-align: center; width: 100%;">
+              <table role="presentation" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="border-collapse: separate; mso-table-lspace: 0pt; mso-table-rspace: 0pt; width: 100%;" width="100%">
+                <tr>
+                  <td class="content-block" style="font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: top; color: #9a9ea6; font-size: 16px; text-align: center;" valign="top" align="center">
+                    <span class="apple-link" style="color: #9a9ea6; font-size: 16px; text-align: center;">Copyright &copy; <%= new Date().getFullYear() %> Compass</span>
+                  </td>
+                </tr>
+                <tr>
+                  <td class="content-block powered-by" style="font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: top; color: #9a9ea6; font-size: 16px; text-align: center;" valign="top" align="center">
+                    <a href="<%= env.BASE_URL %>" style="color: #9a9ea6; font-size: 16px; text-align: center; text-decoration: none;"><%= env.BASE_URL %></a>
+                  </td>
+                </tr>
+              </table>
+            </div>
+
+            <!-- END FOOTER -->
+            
+<!-- END CENTERED WHITE CONTAINER --></div>
+        </td>
+        <td style="font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: top;" valign="top">&nbsp;</td>
+      </tr>
+    </table>
+  </body>
+</html>
diff --git a/src/backend/emails/_footer.text.ejs b/src/backend/emails/_footer.text.ejs
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..fc63fc86
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/backend/emails/_footer.text.ejs
@@ -0,0 +1,3 @@
+----
+Copyright (C) <%= new Date().getFullYear() %> Compass
+<%= env.BASE_URL %>
diff --git a/src/backend/emails/_header.html.ejs b/src/backend/emails/_header.html.ejs
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..1f9eceb8
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/backend/emails/_header.html.ejs
@@ -0,0 +1,77 @@
+<!doctype html>
+<html lang="en">
+  <head>
+    <meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1.0">
+    <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8">
+    <style media="all" type="text/css">
+@media only screen and (max-width: 640px) {
+  .main p,
+  .main td,
+  .main span {
+    font-size: 16px !important;
+  }
+
+  .wrapper {
+    padding: 8px !important;
+  }
+
+  .content {
+    padding: 0 !important;
+  }
+
+  .container {
+    padding: 0 !important;
+    padding-top: 8px !important;
+    width: 100% !important;
+  }
+
+  .main {
+    border-left-width: 0 !important;
+    border-radius: 0 !important;
+    border-right-width: 0 !important;
+  }
+
+  .btn table {
+    max-width: 100% !important;
+    width: 100% !important;
+  }
+
+  .btn a {
+    font-size: 16px !important;
+    max-width: 100% !important;
+    width: 100% !important;
+  }
+}
+@media all {
+  .apple-link a {
+    color: inherit !important;
+    font-family: inherit !important;
+    font-size: inherit !important;
+    font-weight: inherit !important;
+    line-height: inherit !important;
+    text-decoration: none !important;
+  }
+}
+    </style>
+  </head>
+  <body style="font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.3; -ms-text-size-adjust: 100%; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: #f4f5f6; margin: 0; padding: 0;">
+    <table role="presentation" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="body" style="border-collapse: separate; mso-table-lspace: 0pt; mso-table-rspace: 0pt; background-color: #f4f5f6; width: 100%;" width="100%" bgcolor="#f4f5f6">
+      <tr>
+        <td style="font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: top;" valign="top">&nbsp;</td>
+        <td class="container" style="font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: top; max-width: 600px; padding: 0; padding-top: 24px; width: 600px; margin: 0 auto;" width="600" valign="top">
+          <div class="content" style="box-sizing: border-box; display: block; margin: 0 auto; max-width: 600px; padding: 0;">
+
+            <!-- START CENTERED WHITE CONTAINER -->
+            <table role="presentation" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="main" style="border-collapse: separate; mso-table-lspace: 0pt; mso-table-rspace: 0pt; background: #ffffff; border: 1px solid #eaebed; border-radius: 16px; width: 100%;" width="100%">
+              <!-- START BRAND HEADER AREA -->
+              <tr>
+                <td style="background-color: rgb(208, 235, 255); height: 80px; display: flex; justify-content: center; align-items: center; border-top-left-radius: 16px; border-top-right-radius: 16px;">
+                  <img src="<%= env.BASE_URL %>" width="34" height="34" alt="Compass logo"/>
+                  <h1 style="margin-left: 4px; position: relative; top: 1px; font-size: 22px; line-height: 1;">
+                    Compass
+                  </h1>
+                </td>
+              </tr>
+              <!-- START MAIN CONTENT AREA -->
+              <tr>
+                <td class="wrapper" style="font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: top; box-sizing: border-box; padding: 24px;" valign="top">
diff --git a/src/backend/emails/invite_para/html.ejs b/src/backend/emails/invite_para/html.ejs
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..16ad52ba
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/backend/emails/invite_para/html.ejs
@@ -0,0 +1,22 @@
+<%- include('../_header.html.ejs') %>
+
+<p>Hi <%= first_name %>!</p>
+
+<p><%= case_manager_name %> has added you as a staff member for their classroom in Compass.<br/>
+Compass is an all in one tool for collecting data for students’ IEP goals and empowering your classroom team to better assist students.</p>
+
+<p>How does Compass work?<br/>
+Compass will help you organize data collection for the students you work with and securely store the data you collect.<br/>
+<%= case_manager_name %> will add you to data collection tasks for specific student goals. Upon logging in, you’ll see which students you’re expected to collect data for.
+Instructions from <%= case_manager_name %> will be available with each assignment. When you’re ready to begin, you’ll be able to collect and submit data and notes directly in the app.</p>
+
+<p>Getting started<br/>
+To get set up with Compass, use the link below and log in with the email address you received this message at.<br/>
+Thank you for the key role you play in improving student outcomes!</p>
+
+<%- include('../_button.html.ejs', { label: 'Accept Invite', url: env.BASE_URL }) %>
+
+<p>Sincerely,<br />
+The Compass Team</p>
+
+<%- include('../_footer.html.ejs') %>
diff --git a/src/backend/emails/invite_para/subject.ejs b/src/backend/emails/invite_para/subject.ejs
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..f6945c54
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/backend/emails/invite_para/subject.ejs
@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+Welcome to <%= case_manager_name %>'s classroom
diff --git a/src/backend/emails/invite_para/text.ejs b/src/backend/emails/invite_para/text.ejs
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..02845754
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/backend/emails/invite_para/text.ejs
@@ -0,0 +1,20 @@
+Hi <%= first_name %>!
+
+<%= case_manager_name %> has added you as a staff member for their classroom in Compass.
+Compass is an all in one tool for collecting data for students' IEP goals and empowering your classroom team to better assist students.
+
+How does Compass work?
+Compass will help you organize data collection for the students you work with and securely store the data you collect.
+<%= case_manager_name %> will add you to data collection tasks for specific student goals. Upon logging in, you'll see which students you're expected to collect data for.
+Instructions from <%= case_manager_name %> will be available with each assignment. When you're ready to begin, you'll be able to collect and submit data and notes directly in the app.
+
+Getting started
+To get set up with Compass, use the link below and log in with the email address you received this message at.
+Thank you for the key role you play in improving student outcomes!
+
+<%= env.BASE_URL %>
+
+Sincerely,
+The Compass Team
+
+<%- include('../_footer.text.ejs') %>
diff --git a/src/backend/lib/db_helpers/case_manager.ts b/src/backend/lib/db_helpers/case_manager.ts
index a614c1cc..82da9087 100644
--- a/src/backend/lib/db_helpers/case_manager.ts
+++ b/src/backend/lib/db_helpers/case_manager.ts
@@ -66,21 +66,17 @@ export async function sendInviteEmail(
   case_manager_name: string,
   env: Env
 ): Promise<void> {
-  await getTransporter(env).sendMail({
-    from: fromEmail,
-    to: toEmail,
-    subject: `Welcome to ${case_manager_name}'s classroom`,
-    text: `${first_name}, get set up for data collection with Compass`,
-    html: `Hi ${first_name}! <br/>
-${case_manager_name} has added you as a staff member for their classroom in Compass. <br/>
-Compass is an all in one tool for collecting data for students’ IEP goals and empowering your classroom team to better assist students. <br/> <br/>
-How does Compass work? <br/>
-Compass will help you organize data collection for the students you work with and securely store the data you collect. <br/>
-${case_manager_name} will add you to data collection tasks for specific student goals. Upon logging in, you’ll see which students you’re expected to collect data for. 
-Instructions from ${case_manager_name} will be available with each assignment. When you’re ready to begin, you’ll be able to collect and submit data and notes directly in the app. <br/><br/>
-Getting started <br/>
-To get set up with Compass, use the link below and log in with the email address you received this message at. <br/>
-Thank you for the key role you play in improving student outcomes!`,
+  await getTransporter(env).send({
+    message: {
+      from: fromEmail,
+      to: toEmail,
+    },
+    template: "invite_para",
+    locals: {
+      case_manager_name,
+      first_name,
+      env,
+    },
   });
   return;
 }
diff --git a/src/backend/lib/nodemailer.ts b/src/backend/lib/nodemailer.ts
index 877f5723..2716cc8d 100644
--- a/src/backend/lib/nodemailer.ts
+++ b/src/backend/lib/nodemailer.ts
@@ -1,6 +1,12 @@
 import { createTransport } from "nodemailer";
 import SMTPTransport from "nodemailer/lib/smtp-transport";
+import Email from "email-templates";
 import { Env } from "./types";
+import path from "path";
+import { dirname } from "node:path";
+import { fileURLToPath } from "node:url";
+
+const __dirname = dirname(fileURLToPath(import.meta.url));
 
 export const getTransporter = (env: Env) => {
   const options: SMTPTransport.Options = {
@@ -14,5 +20,16 @@ export const getTransporter = (env: Env) => {
     options.host = env.EMAIL_HOST;
     options.port = parseInt(env.EMAIL_PORT, 10);
   }
-  return createTransport(options);
+  const transport = createTransport(options);
+  return new Email({
+    send: true,
+    transport,
+    views: {
+      root: path.resolve(__dirname, "../emails"),
+      options: {
+        extension: "ejs",
+      },
+    },
+    juice: false,
+  });
 };
diff --git a/src/backend/lib/types/env.ts b/src/backend/lib/types/env.ts
index 07f0e859..bc58ea92 100644
--- a/src/backend/lib/types/env.ts
+++ b/src/backend/lib/types/env.ts
@@ -1,4 +1,5 @@
 export interface Env {
+  BASE_URL: string;
   DATABASE_URL: string;
   S3_USER_UPLOADS_ENDPOINT: string;
   S3_USER_UPLOADS_REGION: string;