RECOGNIZING THE ACHIEVEMENTS OF OUTSTANDING EDUCATORS

"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."

"It has been amazing to see that the NSHSS supports not just students, but also teachers. These grants allow teachers to explore new areas and try unique ideas that might not have been previously possible."

"I would like to express my gratitude for being selected as a recipient of the Schools Supplies Grant 2026. This grant will help fund my students' exploration into inquiry-based learning by providing me with needed funds to purchase consumables and equipment for labs. Thank you so much!"

"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!"

"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!"

"NSHSS has afforded me life-changing opportunities regarding my life's work in education from Top Educator of the Year 2019 to winning a $10,000 grant for girl's education. The support and tangible resources I've received will continue to advance my efforts towards world betterment and equity in the classroom."

'Thank you for this opportunity to use the grant funds to continue the pursuit of my EdD in Educational Policy and Organizational Leadership. This degree is deepening my understanding of myself as an educator and how I can directly impact change in the communities I serve."

"I am truly honored and grateful to receive the grant from the National Society of High School Scholars. This support goes beyond financial assistance; it is a heartfelt affirmation of our commitment to promoting social-emotional learning and wellness for our campus community. Your grant will enable us to provide students with crucial counseling resources that address their emotional and mental health needs. It allows us to further expand our social-emotional learning initiatives with a unique focus on mindfulness as a complement to their educational journey. Thank you for believing in the mission of school counselors and for investing in the future of our students. Your support helps us create a culture of wellness within our campus community."

"I am deeply grateful to NSHSS for awarding our math department a $500 grant toward the purchase of replacement calculators. In education, we often ask students to reach their highest potential while quietly working behind the scenes to ensure they have the tools they need to get there — and this grant has made that possible in a very real and meaningful way. NSHSS's commitment to supporting educators speaks volumes about their dedication to academic excellence at every level. To students and educators who may be considering applying for NSHSS opportunities: do not hesitate. This organization invests in people who are passionate about making a difference, and the impact of that investment reaches far beyond any single classroom. Our students are already benefiting, and for that, I am sincerely thankful."