January 2026 – Page 2 – Institute for Recruitment of Teachers

The IRT Effect: Charting Ph.D. Completion

Leislie Godo-Solo, IRT ’91
Education Programs Specialist, Institute for Recruitment of Teachers

Recently, I was chosen to participate in the 4^th annual cohort of the Phillips Academy Head of School Leadership Development Program (HOS-LDP) alongside 11 other individuals from the following schools: Pomfret School, St Paul’s School, Deerfield Academy, Lick- Wilmerding High School, and Phillips Academy. The 8-month program consisted of an in person, two-day leadership retreat, twice-monthly cohort meetings with guest lecturers and readings, 10 hours of professional coaching, the opportunity to enroll in a leadership course taught by Harvard’s online Business School, a capstone project and presentation that addressed a departmental or institutional priority, and a closing dinner including a certificate award ceremony.

Moments of Joy

What were the moments that made you smile, instances that brought you joy or accomplishments and success that buoyed your spirits this past year? Your joyful memory is a reminder of the bright spots within our community and important to highlight. A collection of these positive experiences are below. If you have a moment of joy that you would like to share in an upcoming issue, please let us know!

Alan Gao, IRT ’25
Here’s a photo of me making dumplings with my family. Every time I go home, we make dumplings together and it brings me a lot of joy, especially because food is an important love language for my family.

IRT Alumni Access to Career Pages

The online IRT Alumni Network is an exclusive space for alumni engaging with each other in many ways. Did you know there is a job board, which includes postings from schools and institutions within the network that you can use to reach our online community or apply for a position yourself?

A Note of Gratitude to Our SOP Advisors

As our IRT Cohort submits their final applications and awaits responses from graduate programs, please join me in pausing and celebrating this past year’s Statement of Purpose Advisor’s (SOPA’s), the incredible mentors who walked alongside our aspiring scholars through this transformative journey.

Your impact shows up in every reflection since our first advising meetings. Scholars recognized that their research holds value even while in progress, that their community work carries equal weight to institutional opportunities, and that their varied experiences aren’t fragmented but intentional. You helped them honor strengths they’d overlooked and reclaim narratives about experiences they’d been taught to diminish.

Thank you Alumni Panelists!

Leislie Godo-Solo, IRT ’91 and the IRT staff would like to send heart felt gratitude to the 27 alumni who participated in 10 Alumni Panels this advising season. Your time and expertise are greatly appreciated, and your encouragement of the next cohort of educators is unwavering. Please know that your continued support of IRT as an Alumni Panelist is vital to future cohorts and the organization! Again, a million thanks!