It’s been over a month since my last day at the IRT, and truthfully, I’ve missed it every single day. I was employed at the IRT for six years, first as the Coordinator for Recruitment and Admissions (later renamed the Recruitment & Admissions Program Specialist), then as the Associate Director and Manager of Programs, and briefly, as the Interim Director. I’ve seen the IRT go through a host of changes in the relatively short time I’ve been there. But through those changes, the organization has also stayed true to a radical re-envisioning of the American education system.
Continue reading “New Role for former IRT Associate Director, Kate Slater”
Author: jbonasera
Reflections: Stephanie Flores-Koulish, IRT ’98
In April 2015, like now, I was a resident of Baltimore City. That spring our city was in turmoil following the murder of Freddie Gray at the hands of the police. I lived within a mile of the place where Gray attempted to flee from the police one fateful Sunday morning, yet our worlds couldn’t have been more different. Me, a mom, wife, and college professor living in the so-called, “White-L”* of Baltimore (Geographer, Dr. Lawrence Brown coined that geographic phrase to indicate the area of the city most populated by White people, corresponding with an abundance of resources that the “Black Butterfly,” where Gray lived, lack). Yet, all of the city residents were shook by what we witnessed and experienced. International media flocked to our city sending out media representations of a burning CVS and understandably angry residents gathering in protest over the death of yet another Black man at the hands of police.
Continue reading “Reflections: Stephanie Flores-Koulish, IRT ’98”
Alumni Accolades – February 2021
~1991 Cohort~
Leislie Godo-Solo, IRT ’91
Leislie initiated a special project that made a huge difference to a number of IRT students this holiday season. She coordinated and purchased a supply of personal protective equipment (PPE) including masks, hand wipes and a hand-written note complete with candy and organized other family members and friends to contribute items that were sent to IRT students around the world. Leislie is also the IRT Education Programs Specialist and we would like to thank her for her kindness and generosity. If you know of a student who may be in need, please contact the IRT.
According to Leislie, “this project came about because of a current IRT student who informed me that they were teaching a group of elementary students in person and she mentioned that the school was not providing any PPE to teachers. I was alarmed and believed that these materials are basic supplies. I shared my concern with my Daddy (I am a Daddy’s girl, lol!) and unbeknownst to me, my parents sent me a Nike shoe box full of cloth masks. A former Andover colleague heard me discussing the matter in an affinity group and texted me right on the spot to say that he wanted to send disposable masks to help in my cause; I was off and running. Providing PPE was such a small gesture and one that was easy enough to do. I am pleased that we have been able to assist IRT students in this concrete way.” As a result of this project, Leislie’s motto in 2021 is “Onward and upward, doing what we can in our little part of the world!”
“I am very grateful for Leislie’s work. She was my IRT advisor. I admire her work. Also, I appreciate all the assistance of the Institute for Recruitment of Teachers (IRT) has provided to us. I feel honored I was selected to participate in the 2020-2021 IRT Associate Program in the field of Linguistics. This program impacted me positively. It could change my life. Especially thanks to Leislie Godo-Solo, Rachel Weissler, Monica Reum, Brittany Zorn, LaShawnda Brooks, Janelle Bonasera, Sara Cerretani, and thanks to all the alumni.” Zahaira Cruz Aponte, IRT ’20
Teaching and Mental Health Resources
Teaching and Mental Health Resources
There is so much one could say about the events of the last few months. We need to act and tell the truth about race, power, politics, and education in our country. That said, it grounds and reaffirms us to know that we are all in this together. It is particularly humbling to take a step back and realize that many of you have put your professional careers on the line or have been at risk, to tell the truth in your respective fields.
Being a teacher is tough. In a typical year, we all experience difficulties that can rattle our foundations or alter our classrooms. We continuously learn and imagine new ways to support our communities. But this year is already not a typical one.
We recognize that it can be stressful and tiresome. For our students who are applying to graduate schools, you are doing an incredible job. We are proud of how you can rise above and remain hopeful for our future and your role in it. If you are currently teaching, please know that we are here for you and your students.
We’ve gathered a list of mental health resources and teaching resources. Please feel free to add and share your own with us in the reply/comment section below.
~Mental Health Resources~
https://linktr.ee/thenapministry
https://www.crisistextline.org/
https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/
https://www.thetrevorproject.org/
https://therapyforblackgirls.com/
~Teaching Resources~
https://www.tolerance.org/magazine/when-bad-things-are-happening
https://www.nytimes.com/spotlight/learning-current-events
https://www.facinghistory.org/educator-resources/current-events
https://www.pbs.org/newshour/extra/
Executive Letter, October 2020
As I reflect on the work of the summer this fall, I can only consider how much has changed. For the first time, we were not able to meet our students and consortium in person. Nevertheless, our team continues to support our students virtually – holding regular check-ins, office hours, and advising meetings. Our consortium partners are holding virtual sessions with our students – focusing on topics such as navigating financial aid, navigating the application process, and managing mental health and identity. I am excited that we are finding ways to build community throughout these trying times.
Considering community, I participated in the Scholar Strike on September 8-9. It was important for me to spend time learning from scholars within and outside of our community regarding collaboration, activism, and education. It highlighted the emphasis of bringing awareness against racism and all the ways we can use our stations to dismantle it.
As such, I look forward to implementing more programming that would allow us to impact our communities more directly and build the educational futures we wish to see. If you are a faculty member at an institution that is hiring or considering Consortium partnerships, please contact us. If you are alumni and are willing to connect to current Scholars, please reconnect with us! We are excited to have all of you in our IRT community.
Our hearts are with those affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, wildfires, and hurricanes, and those fighting for racial justice and equality.
LaShawnda Brooks
Executive Director, IRT
Institute for Recruitment of Teachers 
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