The year 2000 really was the beginning of something big.
Under the leadership of Mary Spilis quite a bit was accomplished.
TOPSS established a Long Range Planning Committee to review
the initiatives of TOPSS such as the following: developing more products and
resources for TOPSS members, specifically the unit lesson plans and a possible
consulting/mentoring service for teachers; supporting the development of 2-4
teacher institutes that would "travel" from region to region to help
bring best practices and new information to teachers across the country;
developing summer science institutes for psychology students; and dealing with
certification issues on a state by state basis.
The TOPSS student recognition programs continued as 3
scholarships were awarded to the winners of the TOPSScholarship Essay Contest.
TOPSS recognized students through the APF/TOPSS "Excellence in High
School Research" Awards. TOPSS also continued the Student Scholarship
Achievement Award Certificate Program.
Once again TOPSS was awarded programming time at APA’s
Annual Convention. The 2000 TOPSS speakers included Linda Bartoshuk, Charles
Brewer, Tresmaine Grimes, Wilbert McKeachie, David Matsumoto, Susan Kay Nolen-Hoeksema,
Elisabeth Rider, and Wayne Weiten.
There were five winners of the TOPSS Excellence in Teaching
Award. They are: John Billingslea, Franklin High School, Reisterstown, MD;
Mary Boteler, Sherwood High, School, Sandy Spring, MD; Pamala Coburn, Davis
High School, Kaysville, UT; Al Kirton, Natick High School, Natick, MA; and
Baird Wiehe, Shaker Heights High School Shaker Heights, OH.
TOPSS has applied for a CEMRRAT grant to support a high
school teacher workshop at the University of San Diego designed to capitalize
on the newly issued Cross-Cultural Psychology Unit Lesson Plan.
The state coordinator program met with mixed success this
year. Some state initiatives were exceptional, and can serve as models for
others. Most notably were programs in New Jersey, Texas, Wisconsin, Kansas,
and Indiana.
The faculty advisors to TOPSS this past year were Dr. Jane
Halonen of James Madison University and Dr. Randy Smith of Ouachita Baptist
University. Without the help of these dedicated professionals, TOPSS would not
be able to do all that it does.
