Karen Mungkay Shum

2020 "Pass the Torch" Scholarship Recipient

“She became a confidante, someone I could tell my story to, someone who listened and respected me for all that I am, including my not-so-good grades - but that’s only a part of me.”

As a 9th grader, Karen Mungkay Shum felt lost when she transferred to a Chinese-speaking school in Hong Kong. Forced to repeat a grade and struggling academically, she was ready to resign herself to the role of "bad student" when she met Miss Lee. Now an aspiring special education teacher, Karen hopes to view her own students through the same lens with which Miss Lee viewed her: first seeing the person, then seeing the grades.

Here is Karen's story about Miss Lee, 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.