RECOGNIZING THE ACHIEVEMENTS OF OUTSTANDING EDUCATORS

"Receiving the NSHSS School Supplies Grant (Wave 2) in 2023 was a transformative experience for both my students and me. The grant provided essential learning materials that significantly enhanced the classroom environment, making learning more engaging and accessible. With these resources, my students expanded their knowledge, actively participated in lessons, and truly enjoyed their time at school. Seeing their excitement and motivation grow reaffirmed my belief in the power of education and the importance of having the right tools to support student success. I am deeply grateful to NSHSS for their commitment to empowering educators and students alike. Thank You Message for the School Club Cash Grant I am honored to receive the NSHSS School Club Cash Grant, which will greatly enhance the extracurricular opportunities available to my students. This funding will help expand the Model United Nations (MUN) Club, Creative Writing Society, and Community Service Outreach Group, providing students with leadership experiences, creative outlets, and opportunities to make a meaningful impact in their communities. NSHSS’s support reaffirms the importance of extracurricular activities in shaping well rounded, confident, and engaged students. Thank you, NSHSS, for believing in the power of education and student leadership I am excited to see my students grow and thrive because of this incredible opportunity!"

"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!"

"Democracies cannot stand without quality education for all. Over the past years, I believe it has been challenging for all educators to endure those who would attack the important, vital work we do on a daily basis. The public is often blind to all that we provide our students and their families. Who feeds and clothes our students when their families cannot? Your public schools. Who provides mental health services and tries to keep our students safe and healthy? Your public schools. Who is trying to provide innovative rigor and opportunity? Your public schools. Without these essential services, our communities would be significantly less safe, and we would all struggle to thrive. Thank you for celebrating all of the educators and students who work tirelessly to better our communities. Thank you for understanding that quality education is the heart and soul of greatness."

"Thank you, NSHSS, for recognizing the hard work of educators. I have been a member of this great organization for almost 20 years and I appreciate the continued support and encouragement. This grant will help me continue to effectively teach Calculus to my amazing scholars."

"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!"

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

"I would like to sincerely thank the National Society of High School Scholars for providing grant support that enabled me to attend a cross‑border conference focused on molecular biology education. In an increasingly polarized global climate, opportunities for educators to collaborate across borders are not only valuable but essential. This experience allowed me to engage with diverse perspectives, deepen my professional practice, and bring innovative, research‑informed approaches back to my students. I am grateful to NSHSS for its commitment to supporting educators and scholars who are working to advance learning, build understanding, and make a meaningful impact in their communities."

"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."

"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."