RECOGNIZING THE ACHIEVEMENTS OF OUTSTANDING EDUCATORS

"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."

"I am grateful to NSHSS for awarding me this grant. With their support, I will be now be able to provide a better cross-cultural learning experience to students in my French classes. Without the support of NSHSS, I would not be able to make mastering a second language as authentic and meaningful for students as I now will. Thank you, NSHSS, for your generosity and support of teaching and learning."

"I am very grateful for this grant. I feel blessed to be able to do what I love, and love what I do! Music education is invaluable now, more than ever. I will continue my efforts to improve, enhance, promote, and grow, our Music Program."

"I would like to thank NSHSS, DePaul College Prep, and all of my students for inspiring me to become the best teacher, coach, and colleague I can be. I feel so fortunate to be part of a community committed to honoring the inherent dignity of all people."

"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 providing funds to support our second year of this important trip. We are very grateful."

"I am incredibly honored to be a recipient of the NSHSS Inclusion Grant and deeply grateful for the support it provides in fostering an inclusive learning environment for my students. As an educator, my mission is to create opportunities where all students, regardless of their abilities, feel valued, supported, and empowered to succeed. This grant has allowed me to implement new strategies and resources that enhance engagement, accessibility, and learning experiences for my exceptional students. NSHSS’s commitment to recognizing educators who go above and beyond is truly inspiring. This recognition not only validates the hard work and dedication of teachers but also reinforces the importance of equity, diversity, and inclusion in education. I hope my story encourages fellow educators and students to continue striving for excellence, embracing challenges, and making a meaningful impact in their communities. Thank you, NSHSS, for investing in the future of education and for empowering teachers like me to shape a world where every student has the opportunity to thrive."

"NSHSS provides numerous opportunities for students and educators to receive the resources they need to implement innovative teaching in their classroom."

"It is always humbling to receive an award, but also something to be prideful of at the same time, and I am grateful to NSHSS for the efforts it makes to recognize teachers."