RECOGNIZING THE ACHIEVEMENTS OF OUTSTANDING EDUCATORS

"NSHSS is incredible. They are at the forefront of supporting schools, students, and educators. Having a group that truly cares about equity and access for students to achieve is praiseworthy in a world where people don't always see the value in education."

"Thank you so much for believing in me and my cause of expanding my curriculum to include current research and relevant topics. I love learning and sharing what I learn with my classes. This grant will allow me to explore a variety of topics that I know are very important and of high interest to my students. Being able to share new information with them energizes me and that carries forward to my students getting excited about learning as well. I will be able to continue my education during the summer for three years and I can't wait to dive in right away with the recorded seminars. I will also be able to purchase supplies needed for more hands-on learning activities. This grant will be able to touch many lives and make a positive difference! Many, many thanks!"

"Receiving support from NSHSS is truly meaningful, not just for me, but for the students and educators I serve. This grant helps expand opportunities for students in the Northern Mariana Islands, where access to resources can be limited, and ensures they are better prepared for college, careers, and a rapidly changing world. Many of our students face geographic barriers, and this support helps bridge those gaps. I’m grateful for NSHSS’s commitment to uplifting educators and students who are working to make a difference in their communities. This support reminds us that our work matters and that investing in education has the power to transform lives."

I would like to thank the National Society of High School Scholars grant committee for selecting me for this award. Everything I do, I do it for my students. There are days I feel like I am not getting it right, but when I get a message from a past student saying how what I taught them they are able to use it on their current job or in their college classes, I know I am in the right place. God has truly given me a gift to inspire the next generation and I will continue to do so until I can't anymore!

"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!"

"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."

"Receiving this grant through the National Society of High School Scholars is both an honor and a meaningful affirmation of the work we do as educators to create transformative opportunities for our students. As someone deeply committed to expanding access to career-focused and equitable learning experiences, this support allows me to further innovate and impact students in ways that extend beyond the traditional classroom. To fellow educators and aspiring scholars, I encourage you to continue pursuing excellence with purpose and passion. The work we do matters, and organizations like NSHSS remind us that our dedication does not go unseen. Together, we are shaping futures, opening doors, and empowering the next generation to lead, serve, and succeed."

"Thank you so much for this generous grant, which affirms the time and heart I invest in striving to make my classes meaningful."

"There will always be a new idea that teachers have that can make the classroom a more meaningful and exciting place for students. There is not always district funding. NSHSS has provided my classroom with funds more than once over the course of my entire teaching career. Whether it's an expanded film library or more production equipment, my students have had more opportunities to do college level work and feel like professionals because of NSHSS grants. Thank you, NSHSS! Please keep supporting teachers! Teachers, if you have an exciting idea and need support—apply!"