Program – Page 2 – Institute for Recruitment of Teachers

IRT Advising: Then & Now

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

On June 2^nd, 2025, I began onboarding the 35^th IRT Cohort, which includes 135 Scholars! How time flies, quite literally. It was just yesterday that I found myself on the Phillips Academy campus as a senior planning to apply to a variety of graduate schools in two fields nonetheless – Spanish Literature and Higher Education (sound familiar?), and part of one of the biggest in-person IRT Summer Workshops ever held, numbering 42 individuals. I can tell you stories, lol!

While much has stayed the same, much also has changed as it relates to the IRT Advising program. A dedicated IRT team continues to support IRT Scholars every year as they pursue advanced degrees in the humanities, social sciences, math, and education, and the scholars’ camaraderie remains strong in a virtual world and in the face of great challenges to isolate us from one another. LaShawnda Brooks, Catherine Wong, and I serve as school list advisors and work closely with each scholar to create a well-rounded school list that supports the academic endeavors that each student plans to pursue, and one that considers their personal well-being and the political climate as well. It is no small feat to assist IRT Scholars in this new educational environment.

IRT Connects with Tomorrow’s Educators at Breakthrough Boston Collaborative Career Fair

by Catherine Wong, Associate Director & Manager of Programs, IRT

This August, IRT had the privilege of participating in Breakthrough Greater Boston Collaborative Careers in Education Fair at The Foundry in Cambridge, MA_, where we connected with over 80 passionate undergraduate Teaching Fellows exploring their futures in education.

Making Meaningful Connections

Catherine Wong, IRT’s Associate Director & Manager of Programs, represented our organization at this inspiring event. The afternoon brought together a dynamic community of universities, colleges, and educational non-profits with this year’s Breakthrough Teaching Fellows. These were not only undergraduate college students but also individuals who had completed Breakthrough’s rigorous nine-week pre-professional teaching experience, gaining hands-on expertise in student-centered education practices.

Support the IRT!

Hello IRT alums,

I’m Rachel Sacks from Phillips Academy, and I lead fundraising for the IRT. As alumni, you know the incredible impact this program has on scholars and the broader educational community. Importantly, the IRT depends on the generosity of friends and alumni like you – your gifts directly sustain the program and ensure it can continue shaping the next generation of educational leaders.

This year, our goal is 26% alumni participation – and every gift matters! Whether big or small, your support sustains the IRT’s mission, strengthens our alumni community, and fuels new opportunities for growth and impact.

Make your gift online today via this link or reach out to me directly at rsacks@andover.edu – I’d love to hear from you.

Thank you for helping the IRT continue to thrive!

With gratitude,

Rachel Sacks
Associate Director for Advancement Initiatives

Associate Director & Manager of Programs Update, June 2025

NCORE, Hope, and the Power of Collective Action at IRT

The recent NCORE conference in New York City was abuzz with keynotes, workshops, and conversations about hope and possibility in our ever-evolving educational landscape. But what truly resonated with me wasn’t just the aspirational talk; it was the tangible, on-the-ground manifestations of these ideals. We engaged in courageous intergenerational and cross-college conversations, actively building coalitions and fostering collective action.

This got me thinking: what does hope and possibility look like in real time for us at IRT?

Alumni Reunite for Summer Workshop Experience

The IRT is thrilled to have Heather Moore Roberson, IRT ’07, ’10 Ryan Sermon, IRT ’10, and Renée Wilmot, IRT ’12, ’17 return as Summer Workshop Co-Curriculum Coordinators. They took a few moments to share what brings them back and their expectations for this year’s workshop.

Heather Moore Roberson is the Dean of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at Allegheny College. Heather received her M.A. and Ph.D. from the American Studies program at Purdue University.

What motivates you to return as a Co-Curriculum Coordinator?

I have had the honor and privilege to serve as a member of the faculty since 2016. After I received my Ph.D., it was vital for me to get reconnected with the next generation of teacher scholars who will transform higher education. I would not be a faculty member/administrator if it wasn’t for the IRT Summer Workshop. IRT continues to be an integral part of my village. As a curriculum coordinator, I get to share my experiences and insights that will help scholars thrive in K-16 environments.