RECOGNIZING THE ACHIEVEMENTS OF OUTSTANDING EDUCATORS

"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."

"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 am deeply honored to receive this grant from NSHSS. This support not only validates the importance of our work in promoting mental health and well-being in schools but also empowers us to continue making a positive impact. Working with students, especially in areas like mindfulness, autism acceptance, and social skills development, has been incredibly rewarding. Collaborating with colleagues and providing training for staff and parents are crucial steps in creating an inclusive and supportive educational environment. I hope my journey inspires other educators and students to pursue their passions and strive for excellence. Together, we can make a meaningful difference in the lives of our students and the broader community."

"I am deeply honored to have received this grant, which not only supports my students' artistic journey but also reinforces my commitment to nurturing the next generation of creative minds. Art has the unique power to inspire, heal, and connect us, and with this grant, I am excited to create new opportunities for my students to explore their voices and visions. To all the aspiring scholars and artists out there: your passion and dedication are the seeds of change. Keep pushing boundaries, exploring new ideas, and believing in the impact of your work. Together, we can transform our communities and the world through the beauty of art. Thank you for believing in the power of creativity!"

"I have witnessed amazing collaborations and projects across the curriculum in my time here, and none of them would be possible without the use of the resources and materials I offer to students and staff. In these stressful and turbulent times, my Fab Lab is a haven to so many, who want to create amazing projects and express themselves creatively. It is a “no-judgement zone”, and a safe space in which all students feel comfortable being themselves and learning and growing in their own way as they travel down their individual paths in life. I provide solace and a chance for my patrons to search for and find new hobbies, and pursue their goals and dreams. I have helped several students who have started their own businesses make merchandise and promotional items to advertise and gain more clientele. I have provided teachers options to assess student learning by offering them unconventional methods to create and show their understanding and mastery of skills. I open my library to our feeder high schools’ Special Education departments in which students who do not qualify to take higher-level classes here in our Center for Advanced Studies to utilize these wonderful resources. I have worked one-on-one with several of these students to help them create projects with resources they normally would not have access to in their programs. The funds this grant would provide would allow me to buy so much to keep the Fab Lab functioning as a free resource for all who wish to utilize it."

"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!"

"I am incredibly grateful to have just received the NSHSS $1000 STEAM Educator Grant. This grant is an invaluable resource that will help me enhance the learning experience for my students in ways I couldn’t have imagined before. With this support, I am eager to introduce new, engaging projects that will deepen my students' interest in science, technology, engineering, the arts, and mathematics. Receiving this grant has not only motivated me to push boundaries in the classroom but has also reinforced my belief that we, as educators, are capable of inspiring the next generation of thinkers, innovators, and leaders. I look forward to implementing these exciting new ideas, and I want to express my sincere thanks to NSHSS for believing in my vision and supporting educators like myself. This grant is a powerful reminder that organizations like NSHSS play a crucial role in shaping the future of education, and I am honored to be a part of that journey."

"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!"

"I am very grateful that organizations such as these exist. It gives me that extra confidence that is needed in the education world to know that my students will not be negated an opportunity to be creative and be able to explore through research or academic coursework."