Give Back and Get Involved as a Panelist
The IRT is planning for its next cohort, and one of the ways that IRT Alumni can continue to give back with their time and expertise is through the Alumni Panel Series. Alumni share their knowledge of the graduate school process, the hidden curriculum of graduate school, and offer encouragement and support to aspiring IRT Scholars during this series.
Continue reading “IRT Alumni Panels 2026 – 2027”“We must remember that intelligence is not enough. Intelligence plus character—that is the goal of true education.” — MLK “The Purpose of Education,” 1947
Happy New Year, IRT Community!
As we head into the depths of winter, the IRT staff is hard at work supporting our scholars. This fall was a difficult one, as many scholars navigated program changes and ultimately submitted their applications. We are continually grateful for our broader IRT community – our Consortium partners, alumni who advise scholars through SOP advising, and friends of the program who support our work. Our Scholars worked to complete their applications by the December 15 deadline, and many are now hearing back about interviews. We are proud of all our scholars for embarking on this process during such a difficult time.
Continue reading “Executive Director Letter, January 2026”
Reflections on Growth and Transformation
As our IRT Cohort wrapped up their graduate school applications, we came together for our third IRTA meeting to celebrate how far each scholar has come. I designed a four-quadrant reflection activity that asked them to explore the wisdom they’d reclaimed, the resistance they’d pushed through, the relationships they’d built, and the uncertainties they’d learned to navigate. What unfolded was a powerful portrait of collective growth, individual transformation, and mentorship as a practice of reciprocity.
Discovering Worth: From Doubt to Recognition
One of the most striking revelations across the cohort was the journey from self-doubt to self-recognition. Many scholars entered the process underestimating the value of their own experiences, whether due to imposter syndrome, unfamiliar academic contexts, or comparison with traditional paths.
“I thought it would be seen as a ‘burden’ or reason that schools may not see me as a good candidate,” shared one parent scholar in our cohort, speaking about balancing family responsibilities with academic aspirations. Through the statement of purpose advisor (SOPA) process, they learned to reframe this not as a liability but as evidence of resilience and commitment.
Another scholar, who had spent years in community-based work rather than traditional research settings, initially worried about their unconventional background: “I thought that me working at the Y wasn’t as valuable as being published, having a research background, or interning at a fancy firm.” Their SOPA helped them recognize that direct community engagement offered irreplaceable insights for their research.
Continue reading “Associate Director & Manager of Programs Update, January 2026”The IRT application is now open for scholars wishing to begin a graduate program in the fall of 2027.
The application will close on March 1, 2026 at 11:59 p.m. EST – please note that no extensions will be granted.
As part of a new initiative, IRT Executive Director LaShawnda Brooks will be selecting an alumni book to read each month. She encourages all alumni to share in this endeavor providing commentary on the book in the comments section below.
Institute for Recruitment of Teachers 
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