RECOGNIZING THE ACHIEVEMENTS OF OUTSTANDING EDUCATORS

"I am deeply thankful to the NSHSS for awarding me this grant to support the purchase of school supplies for my Family and Consumer Sciences (FACS) classroom. These supplies will play a crucial role in ensuring that every student has the tools they need to actively participate in lessons, regardless of their financial background. With your support, I will be able to provide resources that encourage hands-on learning and practical life skills development. Thank you for helping me create an inclusive and engaging learning environment where all students can thrive."

"I would like to express my gratitude for being selected as a recipient of the Schools Supplies Grant 2026. This grant will help fund my students' exploration into inquiry-based learning by providing me with needed funds to purchase consumables and equipment for labs. Thank you so much!"

"I can't wait to share this wonderful news with the amazing student leaders of our school's Model United Nations (MUN)! This NSHSS grant will enable our group to attend more conferences. My students are enthusiastic and driven. They are also not your typical MUN club. My students will be the first in their families to attend college. Often, our students are the only African American or Latinx students at the conferences we attend. I support MUN because it fosters diplomacy, and an understanding of international issues, and encourages young people to become global citizens. On a personal note, attending MUN conferences also gives my students the space to meet and interact with academically motivated young people, something of a precursor to the students they will encounter in college."

"I have been blown away by the consistent communication and invitations from NSHSS to nominate students, apply for grants and participate in an incredible community of academics, both learners and teachers. The grant writing and acceptance process is not time consuming, making it an accessible way to receive funds and better serve students!"

"I am deeply honored to receive the NSHSS School Supplies Grant, which will have a significant impact on the students and educators at my school. This grant provides us with the opportunity to improve access to much-needed educational resources, fostering a more engaging and equitable learning environment for all. I am grateful for the support from NSHSS, and I encourage fellow educators and students to continue striving toward their goals. Through opportunities like this, we can all work together to make a lasting difference in our communities and the world. Thank you, NSHSS, for your belief in the power of education and for helping us create a brighter future."

"Democracies cannot stand without quality education for all. Over the past years, I believe it has been challenging for all educators to endure those who would attack the important, vital work we do on a daily basis. The public is often blind to all that we provide our students and their families. Who feeds and clothes our students when their families cannot? Your public schools. Who provides mental health services and tries to keep our students safe and healthy? Your public schools. Who is trying to provide innovative rigor and opportunity? Your public schools. Without these essential services, our communities would be significantly less safe, and we would all struggle to thrive. Thank you for celebrating all of the educators and students who work tirelessly to better our communities. Thank you for understanding that quality education is the heart and soul of greatness."

"Thank you so much for the generous Club Cash grant for our Model United Nations Club. This funding will significantly enhance our activities and initiatives, allowing us to provide enriching experiences for our students. Your support empowers us to create a vibrant community where students can explore their interests, develop their skills, and engage meaningfully with one another. We are excited to put this grant to use and will keep you updated on our progress and the positive impact it has on our members. Thank you once again for believing in our mission and supporting our students."

"The importance of offering AP classes has been well documented-study after study reveals that students who are challenged with college level classes have more persistence, better study habits, and greater financial flexibility if they pass the rigorous exams. An AP course structured with a bedrock in the inquiry arc allows students to experience learning at a collegiate level long before they enroll in an undergraduate institution. However, it is the underlying impact that offering college level classes has on an entire school community, whether enrolled in AP classes or not, that makes advanced placement a necessity for any high school. I have been teaching AP World History for four years to mostly freshman students in the south side of Chicago. Preparing students for a high stakes exam was not the reason I got into teaching. My teaching philosophy is rooted in the importance of inquiry and student choice, which allows students to see themselves in the history of the world. When I first began this journey of teaching AP World it seemed impossible to get the majority of my students to pass the exam for college credit, and at the same time fall in love with history as I had long ago. My passion for learning stems from asking tough questions about the hard truths of world history, and then searching for my own answers with the research skills I learned from my professors or teachers. I also knew that passing an AP exam for many of my students is a game changer in a higher education system where costs have skyrocketed for families. With the grant from NSHSS I will be able to better serve the needs of my students by curating a robust research library and bypass frustrating paywalls of the elite research databases. Thank you NSHSS for providing that rigor for my students!"

"NSHSS has afforded me life-changing opportunities regarding my life's work in education from Top Educator of the Year 2019 to winning a $10,000 grant for girl's education. The support and tangible resources I've received will continue to advance my efforts towards world betterment and equity in the classroom."