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¹ÏÉñapp's American Graduate Project is part of a nationwide public media conversation about the dropout crisis. We'll explore the issue through news reports, call-in programs and a forum produced with UNC-TV. Also as a part of this project we've partnered with the Durham Nativity School and YO: Durham to found the ¹ÏÉñapp Youth Radio Club. These reports are part of American Graduate-Let’s Make it Happen!- a public media initiative to address the drop out crisis, supported by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting and these generous funders: Project Funders:GlaxoSmithKlineThe Goodnight Educational FoundationJoseph M. Bryan Foundation State FarmThe Grable FoundationFarrington FoundationMore education stories from ¹ÏÉñapp

'I Still Have That Story. It Gave Me Confidence To Pursue Writing'

'I still write today. It did help me a lot, that one story, being encouraged to write more and not just finish it.' - Aditi Goyal

¹ÏÉñapp is in the midst of a yearlong examination of what it's like to be an educator, called the North Carolina Teacher Project. This week, we're exploring what it takes to make a connection in the classroom by asking students to interview their teachers.

Middle school teacher Steven Simmons says he was a little overwhelmed in 2005 when he started his career at Estes Hills Elementary School in Chapel Hill. But third graders like Aditi Goyal kept him going in those early days.

Aditi is now a junior at East Chapel Hill High School. She comes back to visit Mr. Simmons, who inspired her to start writing with a simple assignment years ago.

Aditi's conversation with Steven Simmons is part of ¹ÏÉñapp's My Teacher series. It's also a part of American Graduate-Let’s Make it Happen!- a public media initiative to address the drop out crisis, supported by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting.

The My Teacher series is produced and facilitated by .

Want to submit your own story about a teacher? 

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