Lee Gurel, PhD, is recognized with this APA Citizen Psychologist Presidential Citation for his sustained advocacy for psychology at the secondary level and high school psychology teachers nationwide.
Gurel has donated generously to the American Psychological Foundation (APF) to support his steadfast vision of increasing high-quality resources and professional development opportunities for high school teachers of psychology. In 2004, Gurel initiated the APA/TOPSS/APF Clark University Workshop for Teachers of High School Psychology with combined donations to APF and Clark. With his generosity, participants are able to attend for free. Held each summer since 2005, this workshop brings together 25 high school psychology teachers to learn from master teachers and psychology faculty to enhance their teaching and understanding of psychological science. In fourteen years, over 300 teachers have attended this workshop, and thousands of students have benefited from their teacher's growth. In 2010, Gurel further donated funding to allow the development of APA Teachers of Psychology in Secondary Schools' (TOPSS) lesson plans and other forms of professional development for teachers. For example, networking grants allow teachers to collaborate at a grassroots level and regional groups have formed nationwide. In 2013, Gurel donated additional funding to APF to continue championing high school psychology. In explaining his reasoning behind another donation for an Endowed Education Fund to Clark University, Gurel stated, "I feel that I — as we all do — owe a debt to the teachers and institutions that equipped us for fuller, more satisfying lives."
But Gurel's support is more than financial. He thrives on encouraging teachers and generously sharing his time with them. His nominator and endorsers credit Gurel's personal involvement and their participation in the Clark workshop for connecting them to a rich network of passionate professionals in the field. In addition to strengthening relationships and teachers' expertise, the Clark workshop has inspired new leadership. For example, many of the participants have become elected members of the APA TOPSS committee and/or have returned to Clark as master teachers.
Gurel also went to Xian, China, as a volunteer teacher of English. This experience galvanized numerous donations to individuals and organizations. For example, he enhanced funding for the 2nd and 3rd prize recipients in the Chinese Americans Citizen Alliance essay contest "What Being An American Means to Me."
Gurel has supported several programs at Northern Virginia Community College where he took seniors-tuition-free courses. His endowments included a student emergency financial assistance fund; enhanced support of selected staff and curriculum; and support of the Great Expectations program for foster youth. He also made donations to enhance the grounds and the library, and a donation so a previously homeless student was able to enroll.