Executive Letter – Page 4 – Institute for Recruitment of Teachers

Executive Letter, January 2022

“I’d like to be remembered as someone who made a difference in the lives of young people – that I nurtured someone and taught them to pursue their dreams and their careers, to leave a legacy.”
– André Leon Talley

As I sat, waiting for the clock to get out of 2021, I was even more aware of the things I hold dear. For the last two or so years, I’ve written to you in my home office, just my dog and me. As much as I love Basil, she responds to the changing world in her way. She didn’t understand the gasps for Betty White, Sidney Poitier, bell hooks, Thich Nhat Hanh, Lani Guinier, or André Leon Talley. And so, I hope for our first newsletter – you will indulge me.

Executive Letter, November 2021

Hello IRT community!

As I write this feeling the emerging autumn breeze, I hope that you are all doing well. Throughout the last year, the ability to be virtual has allowed me more time for reflection

and consideration of the everyday experience of our educators. As I’ve watched protests, meetings, and conversations regarding education – it becomes clear how important your work is.

To that end, I would like to spend some time in our newsletter acknowledging you! I thank our IRT summer faculty for running a brand-new Summer Workshop, in which they developed their course materials to deliver virtually. I celebrate our alumni that are publishing new texts, including Summer Faculty member Aria Halliday, IRT ’11. I commend our educators, counselors, and school support staff for navigating back-to-school plans and communities. I also want to celebrate Monica Muñoz Martinez, IRT ’05 for her incredible work and its recognition by the MacArthur Foundation. Many IRT scholars look up to our alumni and the communities we support. It is thrilling to see your work championed and elected for a Genius Grant.

And finally, I hope we can all come together to send positive vibes to our current class. It is not easy to apply to graduate school during a typical year. Our current cohort is navigating many challenges to secure the future for the communities that we envision. To that end, please be on the lookout for ways to share your updates with the IRT community.

Executive Letter, June 2021

Brooks photo

Reflecting on Juneteenth, I am interested in the ways we can continue to connect. Connecting individuals to institutions, knowledge, histories, memories, space, and land. For many of us, COVID-19 may have disconnected some of those synapses in our lives.

Executive Letter, April 2021

As we shift into spring, a profound period of transformation, I cannot help but think how far we have come; and how much farther we have left to go. Throughout this unbelievable year, we have done our part to persevere. We have listened to the stories behind our students and the ways they are transforming and inspiring change through an entire cohort.

This spring, our staff and students stretched in abilities that they never had to in years past. Our staff utilized virtual platforms to host more online events than ever before, supported students throughout the application process, and aided the navigation of matriculation and future planning. Our students embraced the mindset and courage to keep going taking on the challenges of applying to graduate school during a pandemic. We are proud of all of our scholars that weathered an unprecedented graduate admissions year.

As we look ahead, we get ready for another graduate admissions season. Currently, we are evaluating candidates for our 2021 cohort. It is encouraging to see so many individuals interested in continuing to work in education. Especially after the year we have endured.

To that end, it was significant for us to express joy and care to our scholars. This year, we will mail out certificates of completion to our 2020 class and care packages to our 2019 class. To all alumni in our program, please be sure to reach back and let us know how you are doing. We take pride in seeing the change you impart in society and the transformation you achieve each day.

LaShawnda

Executive Letter, February 2021

As we enter the new year, we remember the things we carry with us. For the last year, many of us have worn multiple hats, opening our hearts and homes to the unknown.

Here at the IRT, we find support in our community. Our scholars came to us with their hopes, vulnerabilities, and shared goals of educational transformation. It has not been easy as we all work together to work towards our ideals of socially just educational society.

I’m proud of the opportunity to connect with our alumni and share their stories in our program report. We are excited to continue to solicit and support our alumni through the development of our Alumni Committee. Now more than ever, our alumni play a crucial role in supporting our program. By informing us of your successes, challenges, and processes, we can better support our current scholars.

Throughout all the uncertainty, I am also grateful. Grateful to be in a community that works to support each other. Either through PPE distribution or easing nerves while waiting for admissions decisions, I am inspired by how you have shown up for each other.

LaShawnda