Lessons Learned

No one succeeds alone. After the difficult experience of helping integrate a Tennessee high school in 1964, Dr. William Lynn Weaver succeeded in spite of some teachers and because of others, in particular one whose largest contribution took decades to be revealed.

Directed by: Richard O'Connor
Executive Producer: Dave Isay
Producers: Rachel Hartman & Shelley Gorelik
Audio Produced by: Jud Esty-Kendall
Supervising Sound Recordist: John White
Animation by: Ace & Son Moving Picture Co., LLC
Animator: Morgan Miller & Taisiya Zaretskaya
Original Music: Joshua Abrams
Music Performed by: Joshua Abrams, Hamid Drake, Marquis Hill, Emmett Kelly & Adam Thornburg
Music Mixed by: Joshua Abrams & Neil Strauch
Special Thanks: Dr. William Lynn Weaver

In Partnership with
American Folklife Center at the Library of Congress
NPR
POV

Funding Provided by
Corporation for Public Broadcasting

[shadow_king]

We need a lot of teachers like Mr Hills

[movierates]

“The ignorance of youth and the wisdom of age.” so so true

[brianruppert]

Mr. Hill was a fantastic teacher and such a kind human being clearly. Wouldn't we all have loved too have such a caring and gifted teacher. God Bless Dr. Weaver and Mr. Hill. You both were great beacons of light to those who worked with you and studied under you.

[garnetcookley]

I'M NOT CRYING YOU'RE CRYING

[tanyablackman]

I am Happy and Thankful to say that throughout my life, along my path, when needed there was a "Mr Or Miss or Mrs Hill" that unselfishly either made themselves available to me, when needed.

[JaySerpa]

And now I'm crying.

Wherever you are, thank you for being such an awesome soul, Mr. Hill.

[stovepipe]

It's sad to see such great storytelling go unnoticed, I hope StoryCorp makes a great comeback soon!

[Texas-tpvj]

Mr. Hill seemed to be one awesome individual.

[MiiWhisper]

This bought tears to my eyes thinking of the pain and suffering so many of us endured not only while pursuing and education but in the work places as well. Yet I smile as I write this because there were so many of us whose successes have been aided by a "Mr. Hill."

[marilyncatalano]

Dr. William Weaver, I salute you sir!! Great, fantastic, wonderful amazing job. All the other adjectives too!!!

[sierralovat]

That is one amazing person and one remarkable teacher

[denverdancer]

Thank you for sharing your story of love and hope. We certainly need more of them now. ❤

[angelamassingale]

Thank God for teachers and school counselors

[furryfeathers]

Thank you Mr. Hill, may Dr. Weaver continue to prove your insight true!

[texturelpond]

This story inspired me to do better in school because I have all F's thank you for this inspiration:)

[scrollandsurf]

*My Mom:*[in the dinner table, really concerned] why are you crying?
*Me:*[watching this]

[chupacabra]

Crazy that Mr. Hill was still alive at the time his brother passed away, it's a good thing though

[markspel]

I just watched this right after America Reframed. This was one of the most informative, eye opening, and downright wonderfull stories ive ever heard. We were helped indeed :)

[just_niah]

This is beautiful. And also a reminder of the fact that this wasn't that long ago and people want black people to get over what happened to them in America. Like it was in some distant past.

[princesscarebear]

This is such amazing story I wish everyone have a teacher like mr hill