Institute for Recruitment of Teachers

PA Giving Day!

Mark your calendars! PA Giving Day begins on Wednesday, March 26, 2025.

PA Giving Day represents a critical milestone in our fundraising efforts for IRT. This past year we raised over 30% of IRT’s annual support from 44 donors in just one day. This year our goal is to exceed last year’s success by engaging even more PA and IRT alumni and friends of IRT in this collective day of giving.

For those inspired to give early, please visit the PA Giving Day page here. Please be sure to select “Institute for Recruitment of Teachers” under the “designation” section. Any gift, of any size, made in advance of March 26 will count toward PA Giving Day totals.

Stay tuned for more details on our matches and challenges for IRT. Let’s rally to make this event a success!

Executive Director Letter, February 2025

A Beloved Community

“I do not think of political power as an end. Neither do I think of economic power as an end. They are ingredients in the objective that we seek in life. And I think that end of that objective is a truly brotherly society, the creation of the beloved community”- Martin Luther King, Jr.

One of the things I value the most about IRT is the sense of community—not just any community but a potentially beloved community. In my view, the scholarship and engagement of IRT alums force us to imagine a better world and society and analyze our past. This work is critical in our present moment, allowing for prospective reconciliation and action to improve outcomes for the most vulnerable of us. Our community is also where we find prospective IRT Scholars, so please consider sharing our application with your networks.

Your Job Now is to Tell Your Story

Anthony Garciano, IRT ’24

Hello! I’m Anthony, a current IRT scholar teaching third graders in Xiamen, China. It’s incredible to think that the brunt of graduate school applications is behind us, with many of us already receiving acceptances to stellar programs across the country. Congratulations! We’ve accomplished so much together, thanks in no small part to the IRT program and our advisors.

Associate Director & Manager of Programs Update, February 2025

Aloha/Greetings IRT Community!

With the new year upon us, we may focus on how best to actualize our resolutions. But for a moment, I invite you to pause, take a deep breath, and instead ground yourself in how you feel now. Arts and Sciences Programs Specialist Brittany Zorn, IRT ’13, wisely asked this question at our first gathering of scholars a few weeks back. We know that many feelings swirl as we wonder, watch, and wait for the impact of the changes happening across PK-12 and higher education.

No matter what happens, IRT remains committed to recruiting and retaining educators who reflect the communities where our students and families live and work. These educators should be well-versed in their content knowledge/subject area, possess the necessary skill set to develop inclusive curriculum, and utilize instructional strategies that engage all students.

Navigating the Challenges of Applying to Graduate School: Finding Clarity Along the Journey

Michelle Lifson, IRT ’15, ’24

Throughout my journey of applying for a Ph.D., I have discovered a renewed sense of purpose. While my passion for teaching remains strong, I am eager to expand my impact by implementing my ideas for supporting students on a larger scale. As an elementary Special Education teacher in a self-contained classroom for students with emotional and behavioral needs, my aspiration is to integrate Culturally Responsive Teaching with Trauma-Informed Education. I aim to develop methodologies that educators can use to support students who are at risk for or currently experiencing emotional and behavioral disorders (EBDs). Creating a safe, supportive, and nurturing classroom environment is essential to prevent further trauma and escalation. My successful approach as an educator has reinforced my commitment to helping other teachers cultivate similar environments. Ultimately, I envision myself transitioning into academia after completing my Ph.D., where I can contribute to the field and support fellow educators.