RECOGNIZING THE ACHIEVEMENTS OF OUTSTANDING EDUCATORS

'I am excited to be a recipient of the educators' professional development grant. There are so many great educator conferences, but I cannot afford to attend if my district is not covering the cost. Being a member of NSHSS allows educators the opportunity to pursue additional professional development too."

"I am very appreciative of NHSS! My first experience with the group was as a high school student but was reintroduced when a student nominated me for Educator of Distinction in my 8th year of teaching. I have since applied for grants and have received much-needed funding for my dance classes. NHSS has been a wonderful resource for me as an educator."

"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 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 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!"

"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."

"I was so excited when I opened the email and saw the word “Congratulations!” Receiving the 2026 NSHSS Career & Technical Education (CTE) Grant is a very special accomplishment for me. This is the first grant I have ever applied for and received, which makes this opportunity especially meaningful. I am honored to be part of the inaugural group of recipients for NSHSS’s CTE Grant. Thank you, NSHSS, for believing in my vision and investing in educators and students. This grant will allow me to provide my students with meaningful, hands-on experiences that connect classroom learning to real-world careers, entrepreneurship, leadership, and business. I am grateful to be an NSHSS educator and appreciate that NSHSS reached out to me and invited me to become part of such an amazing organization. The opportunity to present a workshop during the 2026 NSHSS Scholar’s Day was another rewarding experience that allowed me to share my knowledge and connect with students and fellow educators. One of the highlights of my NSHSS experience has been meeting the amazing staff. Everyone I have met has been welcoming, accommodating, helpful, and supportive. Their kindness and genuine commitment to educators and students have made my experience with NSHSS even more meaningful. To my fellow educators, I encourage you to join NSHSS and apply for the educator grants. Do not be afraid to take that first step. This experience has shown me that putting yourself and your ideas forward can open doors and create new opportunities for your students. Thank you, NSHSS, for this incredible opportunity. I am excited to put this grant to work and create opportunities for my students to learn, lead, create, and succeed. When we invest in educators, we invest in students—and when we invest in students, we invest in the future."

"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 this grant from NSHSS is both an honor and a meaningful affirmation of my work as an educator and mentor. NSHSS represents a community that values leadership, service, and academic excellence—qualities I strive to instill in my students every day. This support strengthens my ability to create innovative, career-focused learning experiences that empower students to believe in their potential and pursue their goals with confidence. I am deeply grateful to NSHSS for investing not only in my journey, but in the students and future leaders who benefit from opportunities like this. Together, we are shaping a generation of scholars who are prepared to make a positive impact on their communities and the world."