Leah Coleman

2023 "Pass the Torch" Scholarship Finalist

“She learned how to read Braille, she learned how to write in Braille ... She has literally completely changed everything in her life just to take on this new adventure, and it is very insane but also incredibly, like, moving.”

Leah Coleman’s most inspiring teacher was not encountered in the classroom, but in her home. In her fifties, Diane Coleman, a mother of five with a stable career and busy home life, decided to return to school to earn her masters in teaching the visually impaired. Now, having acquired a whole new suite of skills and found a rewarding job supporting a student who is blind, Diane’s courage and persistence has had a powerful effect on her daughter, showing Leah that both learning and teaching are lifelong pursuits, and it is never too late to pursue your dreams.

Here is Leah's story about her mother, the teacher who inspired her.

Want to hear the stories of the other nine finalists? Visit our 2023 Scholarship Finalists page.

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