RECOGNIZING THE ACHIEVEMENTS OF OUTSTANDING EDUCATORS

"I am beyond grateful to NSHSS for awarding me the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion grant. This grant is an incredible support for my Theatre program and will make a meaningful impact in the lives of my students. Thank you NSHSS for your commitment to arts education and for believing in the power of theatre to transform lives. I can't wait to put this grant to work at the Texas Thespian festival and I look forward to sharing the results of your investment with our community."

"I have witnessed amazing collaborations and projects across the curriculum in my time here, and none of them would be possible without the use of the resources and materials I offer to students and staff. In these stressful and turbulent times, my Fab Lab is a haven to so many, who want to create amazing projects and express themselves creatively. It is a “no-judgement zone”, and a safe space in which all students feel comfortable being themselves and learning and growing in their own way as they travel down their individual paths in life. I provide solace and a chance for my patrons to search for and find new hobbies, and pursue their goals and dreams. I have helped several students who have started their own businesses make merchandise and promotional items to advertise and gain more clientele. I have provided teachers options to assess student learning by offering them unconventional methods to create and show their understanding and mastery of skills. I open my library to our feeder high schools’ Special Education departments in which students who do not qualify to take higher-level classes here in our Center for Advanced Studies to utilize these wonderful resources. I have worked one-on-one with several of these students to help them create projects with resources they normally would not have access to in their programs. The funds this grant would provide would allow me to buy so much to keep the Fab Lab functioning as a free resource for all who wish to utilize it."

"On behalf of our new high school Culinary Club, I extend our heartfelt gratitude for the generous grant you have awarded us. This funding will significantly enhance our ability to explore the culinary arts, providing our students with valuable opportunities to develop their skills and creativity. Your support will enable us to acquire essential kitchen equipment, high-quality ingredients, and educational resources that are crucial for our budding chefs. We are deeply appreciative of your commitment to fostering educational enrichment and hands-on learning experiences. Thank you for believing in our vision and helping us bring our culinary dreams to life."

"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!"

"I am truly grateful for the support and opportunities provided by NSHSS. As an educator and counselor, NSHSS has allowed me to serve students while demonstrating my passion for excellence and achievement. NSHSS has been instrumental in fostering a culture of academic excellence and personal growth among students, empowering them to reach their full potential and make a positive impact in their communities and beyond. The organization's dedication to recognizing and supporting me is truly commendable, and I am honored to be a part of this organization. Receiving the grant from NSHSS has been a tremendous honor and a testament to the organization's commitment to supporting educators. This grant not only provides financial support but also serves as a reaffirmation of the importance of education and the value of investing in educators."

"Working with NSHSS has empowered me to be a creative and compassionate teacher. As an educator, it can feel like I'm always trying to perform an infinite number of miracles with a finite supply of loaves and fishes. The grant I received this year from NSHSS has quickly been converted into a garden for our environmental science elective targeted towards kids with learning disabilities. For this and so much more, I would like to give a heartfelt thanks to the people and organizations that made this possible. Let's keep the miracles flowing!"

"It's great to be part of NSHSS and their efforts to support students and educators across the globe!"

"Receiving this grant from NSHSS is a profound honor. It is incredibly validating to be part of an organization that so clearly values the hard work educators put in every day. This support doesn't just benefit me because it directly impacts my students by providing resources that would otherwise be out of reach. I am grateful to NSHSS for their commitment to excellence in education and for empowering teachers to dream bigger for their classrooms."

"Receiving this grant from the National Society of High School Scholars is both an honor and a powerful encouragement in my journey as an educator. It affirms that the work we do in under-resourced classrooms truly matters. This support will directly impact my students by creating more engaging, hands-on learning experiences that inspire curiosity and confidence. To my fellow educators, your dedication shapes the future in ways that often go unseen but are deeply meaningful. And to students, never underestimate your potential your determination can overcome any barrier. I am deeply grateful to NSHSS for investing in education and empowering teachers and learners around the world to strive for excellence and make a lasting difference."