RECOGNIZING THE ACHIEVEMENTS OF OUTSTANDING EDUCATORS

"NSHSS provides numerous opportunities for students and educators to receive the resources they need to implement innovative teaching in their classroom."

"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."

"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."

"Thank you so much to NSHSS for the Educator Travel Grant! This grant will help provide an opportunity to gain knowledge from agricultural leaders pertaining to the agriculture industry and education that can be brought back to the classroom. This information will help students further their knowledge about agriculture and possibly inspire students to choose a career in the agriculture industry."

'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 to be awarded the NSHSS Claes Nobel Educator of the Year Award. This recognition represents more than a personal achievement; it affirms the importance of student wellness, social-emotional learning, and the role educators play in creating spaces where students feel seen, supported, and empowered. This opportunity would allow me to continue expanding meaningful counseling and wellness initiatives, including mindfulness-based supports that complement students’ academic journeys. In a rigorous early college environment, students need more than academic preparation; they need tools to manage stress, build resilience, and strengthen emotional intelligence. Every initiative is rooted in the belief that when students are supported emotionally and mentally, they are better prepared to thrive academically, personally, and beyond the classroom. The NSHSS Claes Nobel Educator of the Year Award would support continued professional training, including participation in professional development conferences, and provide additional tools to help me remain an effective, innovative, and responsive school counselor. This opportunity would allow me to further contribute to the field through student-centered programming, evidence-based practices, and continued advocacy for mental health in schools. Thank you for recognizing the work of educators who believe that student success begins with connection, wellness, and hope."

"Working with NSHSS has empowered me to be a creative and compassionate teacher. As an educator, it can feel like I'm always trying to perform an infinite number of miracles with a finite supply of loaves and fishes. The grant I received this year from NSHSS has quickly been converted into a garden for our environmental science elective targeted towards kids with learning disabilities. For this and so much more, I would like to give a heartfelt thanks to the people and organizations that made this possible. Let's keep the miracles flowing!"

"Thank you, NSHSS, for support public school students and our Habitat for Humanity Club! I believe that the service-learning trips that our club takes to the Mississippi Delta provide one of our school's best educational experiences for students. Testimonials from the kids are always overwhelmingly positive and often very moving. These grants make a big difference!"

"I am grateful to NSHSS for awarding me this grant, which will play a vital role in helping me continue to enhance my work with students. This opportunity allows me to further develop the skills necessary to create a more supportive and inclusive learning environment. Being part of this community has shown me the power of encouragement, support, and resources in breaking down barriers and achieving academic success. I hope my journey inspires others—whether students or fellow educators—to pursue their goals with determination and to believe in their potential to make a meaningful impact."