2009 APA TOPSS EXCELLENCE IN TEACHING AWARDS
CALL FOR NOMINATIONS

The purpose of the APA TOPSS Excellence in Teaching Award is to provide an opportunity for TOPSS to recognize outstanding teachers in psychology. There will be up to three annual awards. Teachers of high school psychology who are self-nominated or nominated by a colleague, supervisor, student or administrator are eligible.

Award:
Winners will receive a framed certificate, award, cash prize of $300, ActivePsych CD series, and a free TOPSS membership or renewal for the 2009 membership year. The ActivePsych CD series has been generously donated by Worth Publishers.

Application Procedure Nominated teachers are asked to provide the following:

1. A letter of reference from a former student, colleague, or supervisor
1. Student letter will focus on the teacher’s commitment to academic excellence
2. Colleague or supervisor letter will focus on a teacher’s commitment to professional excellence.
2. A content outline for a lesson plan designed for a topic in psychology
1. The outline must contain appropriate content and be accurate
2. The outline must be correlated to the National Standards
3. Example(s) of activities, demonstrations, or programs related to the outline or topic
1. Example(s) must be appropriate for the student population
2. Example(s) must be effective and involve active learning experiences for students
3. Example(s) must be aligned with the content in the outline for a lesson plan
4. A statement of roles and initiatives that demonstrate and/or promote professional development activities and provide leadership for others in the field.
5. A CV or resume.

Judging Criteria:
Submissions will be evaluated using the rubric posted here. The award committee is appointed by the TOPSS Chair and will include no less than 3 members. Incomplete submissions will not be considered. The committee reserves the right not to confer an award if submissions do not meet minimum requirements.
 
Time-Line:

• All supporting materials must be postmarked by March 14, 2009.  Electronic submissions on CD are welcomed. Please submit materials to Jewel Beamon, APA Education Directorate, 750 First Street, N.E., Washington, DC 20002.

• The winners will be announced in the Psychology Teacher Network newsletter.

A nomination form is available here. For additional information, please contact Jewel Beamon at (202) 336-6076 or by email.