Jennifer Schlicht, MS, a psychology teacher at Olathe South High School in Olathe, Kansas, has been awarded a 2023
APA TOPSS Charles T. Blair-Broeker Excellence in Teaching Award
by the American Psychological Association’s Committee of Teachers of Psychology in Secondary Schools.
Schlicht is a dedicated teacher who consistently pours her energy and enthusiasm into building connections with and educating students. She teaches several psychology courses, including four sections of Introductory Psychology and two sections of Advanced Placement (AP) Psychology, and even teaches an eAcademy class.
Schlicht’s dedication to her students has been praised by colleagues and students alike. One former student, Mayci Armstrong, noted: "Time and time again, Mrs. Schlicht has shown dedication to her students. Whether academically or relationally, Mrs. Schlicht puts her all into her role as an educator and leaves every student she has with more knowledge and fulfillment.” Armstrong also noted that Schlicht “continuously catered to every student and taught in ways that made sense to each and every student. She taught material that not only was a part of the curriculum but also materials that we were interested in.”
Schlicht has garnered numerous achievements throughout her career, not only for her work inside the classroom but for her work outside as well. She has been a College Board Consultant for Advanced Placement Psychology since 2022. She was a Master Teacher Presenter of a three-day psychology teacher workshop at Oregon State University in 2022; the workshop was sponsored by the American Psychological Foundation, APA, and the Oregon State University School of Psychological Science. She is the recipient of multiple awards, including the Kansas Rotary Club Teacher of the Year in 2013, the VFW (Veterans of Foreign Wars) Teacher of the Year (Local and Regional Post winner) in 2010, and a Fulbright-Hays recipient for Special Projects Abroad in 2007.
Schlicht has also served as the 2020 chair of the APA TOPSS committee. Jo Ball, Schlicht’s colleague, noted that “[during Schlicht’s] tenure as chair of the committee, the committee supported teachers across the nation during the coronavirus pandemic in numerous ways, including providing plans free of charge and helping teachers use online tools.” Schlicht also served as co-host of a “Tea with TOPSS” guest speaker series that the TOPSS Committee held in 2020, to facilitate conversations between psychology teachers and prominent psychologists. Her leadership in the high school psychology space continues as she currently serves as the KCTOPSS Regional Teaching Network coordinator for high school psychology teachers in the Kansas City area.
As the building leadership team co-chair, Schlicht has also worked with teachers within her school building to improve instruction and school climate. Ball note that in 2023, “under [Schlicht’s] guidance, staff are attempting to regain a sense of community through the activities organized by climate committee she leads. Not only does she have to organize many of the activities designed to bring us together, she also tracks participation and feedback. She understands how important a positive school climate is for students’ and teachers’ achievement and psychological well-being. In addition, Jen provides in-service sessions to the faculty focusing on cognitive learning. This science-based approach improves student learning, and through Jen’s efforts more teachers recognize its importance than prior to her sessions.”
“I feel so fortunate to have worked with Jen on the TOPSS committee during her tenure as Chair. She is a wonderful colleague to all of us teachers of psychology, a leader in our field, and an exceptional teacher for her students,” said APA TOPSS Committee chair Terri Lindenberg.
The APA TOPSS Committee is honored to present this award to Jennifer Schlicht for her commitment to psychology education and helping students achieve their greatest potential.
APA TOPSS Committee Member-at-Large Melissa Rogers interviewed Jennifer Schlicht about her experiences and advice as a teacher:
