Jaime Escalante has been chosen to be featured on the 2016 stamp collection of the United States Postal Service. As the bureau pays tribute to notable personalities and events, he was included in the list of great people.

The USPS released a preview of this year's Forever stamp collection and the images will surely attract many stamp collectors and fans of famous people. The 2016 stamps, which will be available and can be used throughout this year, were designed to honor nine people including child actress Shirley Temple, singer Sarah Vaughan, educator Jaime Escalante and activist Richard Allen.

Acting Stamp Services Director Mary-Anne Penner said, "Our stamps articulate the American experience through miniature works of art."

She added, "Our diverse stamp topics for 2016 are sure to appeal to everyone, and with the New Year just around the corner, now is a perfect time to get started in stamp collecting. It's an educational hobby the entire family can enjoy."

The Postal Service also created stamps of memorable occasions and events like the repeal of the 1766 Stamp Act, the 200th anniversary of Illinois Statehood, Year of the Monkey and "Star Trek" which is celebrating its 50th anniversary.

Commenting on the selection of the acclaimed teacher in this year's stamps, USPS' spokesman Roy Betts said in a statement, "The Citizen Stamp Advisory Committee gets tens of thousands of suggestions every year. Escalante's legacy in Los Angeles makes him an ideal candidate."

He further said, "He is, without question, a very deserving subject. The legendary educator is well-known for academic excellence and working with inner-city youth to help them master calculus."

The spokesman also relayed that being on the national stamp "is one of the highest honors you can receive," thus suggesting that the teacher had done great things to be honored in this way.

Escalante was a Math teacher from Bolivia. From 1974 to 1991, he taught in Garfield High School in Los Angeles. Although the school is located in highly depressed area, he created Math programs that enabled most of the "unteachable" students to succeed on Advanced Placement calculus exam. On March 30, 2010, he passed away in Roseville after a long battle with cancer.

At any rate, the digital illustration of Jaime Escalante on the USPS 2016 Forever stamp collection was based on the teacher's original photo which was taken inside his classroom. The official release date of the new stamps have yet to be announced.