RECOGNIZING THE ACHIEVEMENTS OF OUTSTANDING EDUCATORS

"I would like to thank NSHSS for the generous grant that will enable me to purchase lab materials for my students. This support is invaluable, as it allows me to transform theoretical concepts into hands-on, inquiry investigations. With these new resources, my students will have the opportunity to explore, experiment and engage with STEM in a way that makes learning both dynamic and meaningful. Your contribution will not only enhances their classroom experiences but also empower them to develop essential skills, where they think and act like true scientists. Thank you for investing in their future and for helping me create an environment where curiosity and discovery thrive. I am excited about the significant impact this will have on their educational journey and future endeavors."

"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 for the opportunity for me to highlight my students and my career. Helping students find their passion and grow as individuals is made easier with the financial support offered through organizations like NSHSS. I appreciate the hard work and thoughtful process laid out by the Scholarship and Grants committee."

"Receiving this grant from the National Society of High School Scholars is truly an honor and a powerful affirmation of the work we do as educators. It's not just the financial support, though that is incredibly appreciated, but the recognition that our dedication to students and their success matters. This award is a reminder that the passion we pour into our classrooms and communities resonates beyond the school walls. This grant will allow me to bring cutting-edge technology into my classroom and expand our community outreach programs while exposing my students to a world of endless possibilities. I'm excited to use these resources to further empower my students, providing them with the tools and experiences they need to become tomorrow's leaders and innovators. To the future scholars who are working tirelessly to make a difference: your efforts are seen and valued. Keep pushing boundaries, keep pursuing your passions, and never underestimate the impact you can have on the world. This award is a testament to the fact that hard work and dedication are recognized, and they pave the way for a brighter future. Thank you, NSHSS, for investing in educators and inspiring the next generation of scholars"

"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 really appreciate being awarded this grant for my garden club! I have so many enthusiastic students who really love working in the garden this year - and our projects always cost money to complete! This money is really going to help set us up for successful winter gardening, as we are using it to construct cold frames for the exisiting beds!"

"I am truly thankful for this wonderful blessing that was bestowed upon me and my cross-country team for this monetary gift in the form of a grant. NSHSS has been a truly awesome program to be a part of that I try to share with my students as a teacher, advisor, and coach. The opportunities that are available are truly top-notch. Thank you."

"I am so very grateful to NSHSS. You have been able to recognize my outstanding students and I have received such positive feedback from them and their parents over the years. Also NSHSS has been so terrific helping my students do amazing research projects for Science Fair. Thank you!"

"Dear NSHSS, I want to thank you for providing this grant to help my students in the BSU and ASU so they may continue their work in cultivating a sense of belonging for students of all identities at our school. It warms my heart to know that NSHSS truly sees the value in investing in our youth. Please keep making dreams come true and never cease pouring into our greatest natural resource, our youth!"