RECOGNIZING THE ACHIEVEMENTS OF OUTSTANDING EDUCATORS

"I have had several students apply for grants and scholarships through the NSHSS and this year I decided I should apply as well! I am excited to use this grant to create more STEAM opportunities for my students this school year!"

"I am incredibly grateful to have just received the NSHSS $1000 STEAM Educator Grant. This grant is an invaluable resource that will help me enhance the learning experience for my students in ways I couldn’t have imagined before. With this support, I am eager to introduce new, engaging projects that will deepen my students' interest in science, technology, engineering, the arts, and mathematics. Receiving this grant has not only motivated me to push boundaries in the classroom but has also reinforced my belief that we, as educators, are capable of inspiring the next generation of thinkers, innovators, and leaders. I look forward to implementing these exciting new ideas, and I want to express my sincere thanks to NSHSS for believing in my vision and supporting educators like myself. This grant is a powerful reminder that organizations like NSHSS play a crucial role in shaping the future of education, and I am honored to be a part of that journey."

"Page High School AVID Club would like to extend our sincerest gratitude and thank-you for this opportunity. This support will have a lasting impact on the educational aspirations and future success of our high school students. Your support will enable us to provide them with invaluable opportunities for personal and academic growth, ultimately helping them achieve their goals of attending and succeeding in college."

"I am deeply honored and grateful to have been selected for the $1,000 STEAM Educator Grant. This award greatly boosts my efforts to foster a love for science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics among my students. Your recognition and support affirm the importance of our work in education and inspire me to continue pushing boundaries in STEAM learning. The grant will greatly enhance my ability to implement innovative projects and provide valuable resources for my classroom. I am excited to channel this funding into initiatives that will engage and inspire the next generation of innovators. Thank you for believing in my work's impact and investing in the future of education. Your generosity will make a significant difference in my students’ learning experiences. I look forward to sharing the positive outcomes and successes that arise from this grant. Once again, thank you for your support and for making this opportunity possible."

"I didn't know much about NSHSS before one of my students nominated me for this award. There is a lot that NSHSS is doing for educators and students alike, in terms of grants, scholarships, networking, etc ... Thank you, NSHSS, for recognizing my work as an educator through this grant."

"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!"

"Thank you so much for the grant! I love coaching extracurriculars for students, especially those that are academically-oriented. I feel that students who prefer academics over athletics are often overlooked at the high school level. Budgets and boosters are there for football, basketball, and even marching band. However, there is not always support for academic clubs like creative writing or chess. Further, if a school offers advanced academics like computer science and engineering, they have already invested a lot in the day-to-day operations. But what about extra projects or competitions? I will be using this grant to purchase competition polos for our Academic Decathlon team and blazers and neckties/cross ties for our Mock Trial team. The clothing serves as a team uniform, providing identity and showing the students that they are important representatives of our school and district! Thank you so much for making this possible!"

"I am deeply honored to have received this grant, which not only supports my students' artistic journey but also reinforces my commitment to nurturing the next generation of creative minds. Art has the unique power to inspire, heal, and connect us, and with this grant, I am excited to create new opportunities for my students to explore their voices and visions. To all the aspiring scholars and artists out there: your passion and dedication are the seeds of change. Keep pushing boundaries, exploring new ideas, and believing in the impact of your work. Together, we can transform our communities and the world through the beauty of art. Thank you for believing in the power of creativity!"

"Our Art Club is incredibly grateful to have been selected as a recipient of the NSHSS Club Cash Grant. This grant has been instrumental in allowing us to kick off our year with an exciting and ambitious creative project. To start, we are working on a collaborative short film, where our students will have the opportunity to experience every aspect of the filmmaking process, from writing the script to producing, acting, filming, editing, and even composing the soundtrack. This project allows our members to dive into the world of visual storytelling and explore their creativity in ways that build confidence and hone new skills. Following the short film, our students will channel their artistic talents into creating either a graphic novel or a short story, giving them the freedom to express their individual artistic voice while collaborating with their peers. Throughout the remainder of the year, students will continue to explore various fine art mediums, expanding their understanding and appreciation of different techniques and styles. Thanks to the NSHSS Club Cash Grant, we have the resources to offer a dynamic and enriching program that fosters both artistic growth and community collaboration. Thank you, NSHSS, for empowering our students to engage in these unique opportunities and to deepen their passion for the arts!"