NSHSS is pleased to announce that the following educators have been selected for $1,000 grants to attend professional development conferences to help them provide the best education possible for their students.

Ronald Brandt, Science Teacher
West Orange High School, West Orange, New Jersey

Ronald Brandt is a member of NSHSS's Claes Nobel Educator of Distinction program. Mr. Brandt earned his Ph.D. in Higher Education from Seton Hall University with a focus on increasing the participation of women as STEM majors. He has been asked to present his research at the annual American Society for Engineering Education Conference in Seattle, WA, this June. Mr. Brandt is the founding advisor of his school's Science National Honor Society, the author of the district curriculum for Research Methods Seminar, and he has developed web quests and website-based projects for his students. He also has senior level management experience in technology-based industries with a background in the application of chemistry and physics in creating consumer products and pharmaceutical development and manufacturing.

Raul Garcia, Counselor
Explorations Academy High School, Bronx, New York

Raul Garcia will be attending the annual American School Counseling Association Conference in Phoenix, AZ, focusing on the theme, "Spice Up Your School Counseling Program." A two-time honor graduate, Mr. Garcia has a Master of Arts in Bilingual School Counseling from NYU Steinhart School and Culture, Education, and Human Development and a Bachelor of Science in Human Services and Sociology from the CUNY Baccalaureate Program at New York City College of Technology. He has served as an After School Program Director, a Summer School Coordinator, and a Youth Advisor for at-risk students.

Daniel Goman, AP History Teacher
University High School, Tolleson, Arizona

Daniel Goman is a member of NSHSS's Claes Nobel Educator of Distinction program. He's currently a candidate for National Board Certification. He looks forward to attending the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards: Teaching and Learning Conference in Washington, DC. Mr. Goman has taught AP World and US History for six years in Tolleson, AZ, a low socioeconomic community with a large Hispanic population. He advocates for his students' continual learning and development. Mr. Goman graduated Magna Cum Laude from Arizona State University West with a Bachelor of Arts in Secondary Education with a specialization in history. He has also served as a curriculum developer, an official AP world history test reviewer, and a question developer for the AP US History textbook American Pageant.