Stacy Pitts

Pitts’ innovative teaching idea, “Cultivating Compassion,” focuses on making empathy and compassion a priority in all aspects of learning by providing continuous and meaningful opportunities for students to develop empathy and compassion while relating to others. The Voya grant will enable the school to purchase materials that will expose students to texts and other learning opportunities centered on understanding compassion and empathy. Pitts believes this approach triggers thought, unlocks memories, and creates a community that is safe for students to tell their own stories. By making compassion a priority in all aspects of learning, the project provides rich learning opportunities that begin in the classroom, extend into the school and community, and reach out into the world.