Anthony Gonzales graduated on Tuesday from Learning Works charter school in Pasadena, Calif. Learning Works hide caption
National Teachers Initiative The National Teachers Initiative is a project of StoryCorps, the American oral history project. In collaboration with Weekend Edition Sunday, the series celebrates stories of public school teachers across the country.
Special Series
National Teachers Initiative
The National Teachers Initiative is a project of StoryCorps, the American oral history project.
Tyrese Graham teaches science at John Marshall Metropolitan High School in Chicago. StoryCorps hide caption
Kate Musick (left) taught Harlee Patrick in elementary school in Gloucester, Va. StoryCorps hide caption
Roger Alvarez (left) did not graduate from high school, despite the efforts of his former English teacher, Antero Garcia. At 22, Alvarez still hopes to get his GED. StoryCorps hide caption
Meliza Arellano (right) is now an 11th grader at Democracy Prep in New York City. Her seventh-grade teacher, Sarah Benko, inspired her to want to become a teacher. StoryCorps hide caption
Ayodeji Ogunniyi and his father, Abimbola "Yinka" Ogunniyi, at their first American home in South Holland, Ill., in 1993.
Ayodeji Ogunniyi hide caption
After a patient told neurosurgeon Lee Buono to thank the teacher who inspired him, he called up Al Siedlecki. StoryCorps hide caption
Al Siedlecki (left) and Lee Buono speak at the launch of StoryCorps' National Teachers Initiative at the White House. AJ Chavar/StoryCorps hide caption