Caitlin Leavitt

2020 "Pass the Torch" Scholarship Finalist

“These things probably seem really small, but something I’ve learned while preparing to be a teacher is it’s these small things that oftentimes matter the most.”

From the moment she saw the curly hair just like her own, young Caitlin Leavitt loved Ms. Painter. Kindness was evident in everything Ms. Painter did, from her firm but compassionate handling of bullying to the empathetic way she helped Caitlin manage her talkativeness. Today, as both a prospective teacher and a new mother, Caitlin aspires to gently change the world through simple, everyday acts of kindness.

Here is Caitlin's story about Ms. Painter, the teacher who inspired her.

Want to hear the stories of the other nine finalists? Visit our 2020 Scholarship Finalists page.

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