Amy Lam

2019 "Pass the Torch" Scholarship Finalist

Amy Lam was a straight-A student when she dropped out of Mr. Moreno’s demanding AP History class because she was worried about her grades dropping. Bored and unchallenged in the class she transferred to, Amy decided to give Mr. Moreno’s class another try. Under his tutelage, she gained the confidence to push herself and risk failure, and came to learn important lessons about persistence, resilience – and how grades aren’t the only thing that matters. As a future math teacher, Amy wants to work in under-served communities like the one she grew up in and challenge the link between poverty and educational inequity.

Here is Amy's story about Mr. Moreno, the teacher who inspired her.

Want to hear the stories of the other nine finalists? Visit our 2019 Scholarship Finalists page.

Thinking of applying to this year's program? Learn more on our Teachers Test Prep "Pass the Torch" Teacher Scholarships page.