RECOGNIZING THE ACHIEVEMENTS OF OUTSTANDING EDUCATORS

"Words cannot express how honored and grateful I am to be selected for this prestigious award. As a passionate educator, I pour my heart and soul into every lesson I deliver. It is a true blessing to be recognized for my unwavering devotion to students and their success. I offer my heartfelt appreciation to the Scholarship & Grants committee for their time in reviewing my application and decision to invest in me and my development as a distinguished 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!"

"We are beyond grateful for this opportunity! This is the 1st time that we've utilized this platform and the ease of the application, along with the entire experience has been absolutely a blessing! I'm so glad to be a part of this amazing journey!"

"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 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."

"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."

"Thank you so much for the generous Club Cash grant for our Model United Nations Club. This funding will significantly enhance our activities and initiatives, allowing us to provide enriching experiences for our students. Your support empowers us to create a vibrant community where students can explore their interests, develop their skills, and engage meaningfully with one another. We are excited to put this grant to use and will keep you updated on our progress and the positive impact it has on our members. Thank you once again for believing in our mission and supporting our students."

"Thank you so much for providing funds to support our second year of this important trip. We are very grateful."

"It's great to be part of NSHSS and their efforts to support students and educators across the globe!"