Andreas Kidane

2021 "Pass the Torch" Scholarship Finalist

“I remember thinking, ‘A teacher just called me smart. My parents call me smart, but I don’t believe it - they just say it ’cause they have to - but she just called me that. Wow.’”

Andreas Kidane was ready for a new start when he transferred to a small school in Eritrea. He was skeptical when he first met his supervisor, Ms. Brenda, who seemed like everything he was trying to get away from. However, not only did Andreas and Ms. Brenda have some unexpected similarities that enabled them to connect, but she awakened a powerful leadership potential in him he never knew he had. As a special education teacher, Andreas hopes to pass on the torch by one day being to a student what Ms. Brenda was to him.

Here is Andreas' story about Ms. Brenda, the teacher who inspired him.

Want to hear the stories of the other nine finalists? Visit our 2021 Scholarship Finalists page.

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