RECOGNIZING THE ACHIEVEMENTS OF OUTSTANDING EDUCATORS

"The FHS Journalism & Newsletter Club, Sails & Stories, extends its heartfelt gratitude to the NSHSS Club Cash Grant for their generous support. With this grant, our students now have the exciting opportunity to pursue their passion for writing, giving them a platform to express their voices and share their perspectives. This support has been instrumental in establishing Sails & Stories this year, allowing students to engage meaningfully in journalism and develop their talents. Thank you for empowering our students and making this club possible!"

"I am eternally blessed to have received this grant. I am excited at the prospect of providing my students with new resources that can pique their interest and encourage them to pursue a higher level of learning."

"Receiving this grant from the National Society of High School Scholars is both an honor and a powerful encouragement in my journey as an educator. It affirms that the work we do in under-resourced classrooms truly matters. This support will directly impact my students by creating more engaging, hands-on learning experiences that inspire curiosity and confidence. To my fellow educators, your dedication shapes the future in ways that often go unseen but are deeply meaningful. And to students, never underestimate your potential your determination can overcome any barrier. I am deeply grateful to NSHSS for investing in education and empowering teachers and learners around the world to strive for excellence and make a lasting difference."

"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!"

"Being named the Educator Coach of the year for 2020 by the National Society for High School Scholars has reaffirmed my hard work and dedication to students over the past 35 years of my teaching career. Receiving the $5,000 grant in the midst of the COVID–19 Pandemic has definitely been a blessing since it arrived at a time when it was desperately needed. I am thankful and humbled to have received such an outstanding honor from such a prestigious organization."

"I am truly thankful for this wonderful blessing that was bestowed upon me and my cross-country team for this monetary gift in the form of a grant. NSHSS has been a truly awesome program to be a part of that I try to share with my students as a teacher, advisor, and coach. The opportunities that are available are truly top-notch. Thank you."

"Receiving this grant from NSHSS is truly an honor and a meaningful reminder of why I chose to step into education. My journey into the classroom came after many years in the professional world, and I’ve learned that success isn’t just about knowledge—it’s about believing in your ability to grow, take risks, and pursue opportunities. Every day, I strive to create an environment where my students feel valued, capable, and prepared for whatever path they choose. This recognition not only affirms the work happening in my classroom, but it also fuels my passion to continue pouring into my students and helping them see their potential. I am incredibly grateful to NSHSS for investing in educators and for inspiring the next generation to dream big and work hard to achieve those dreams."

"After teaching for as long as I have, I never thought about applying for grants. I thought the process was way too time consuming and didn't think it would be worth the time. I was VERY wrong. The process was very easy as they explicitly tell you what they were looking for in the application and was worth the time. This was the first time I actually applied for a grant and was very fortunate to be awarded one!!! This could be you!"

"It is always humbling to receive an award, but also something to be prideful of at the same time, and I am grateful to NSHSS for the efforts it makes to recognize teachers."