Tina Athanasopoulos, of Prospect High School (Mount Prospect, IL), served as the chair of the APA National Standards Working Group. She received a presidential citation from APA President Dr. Frank C. Worrell on May 19, 2022, for her work on the curricula standards. The following interview was compiled by Terri Lindenberg.
The best part of chairing the National Standards Working Group was working with the people involved (including APA’s Emily Leary Chesnes, Robin Hailstorks, and Sue Orsillo). It was amazing to reflect on the past National Standards and the impact they have made for high school psychology teachers and realize that the new Standards will do the same thing for a new generation of teachers and students.
I hope psychology teachers reflect on the Pillar model, identify units throughout the curriculum that best suit the needs of their students and continue to promote scientific practices and applications of the integrated themes to psychology students.
I hope when psychology students continue their studies at the university the language that is used is a seamless transition between the high school introductory course and a college level course. I want students to be exposed to a variety of the curriculum (by teaching from all the pillars) as we recommended in the Standards. This gives students a global perspective of the field of psychology.
I love teaching a subject that is so applicable to one’s everyday life. The content, regardless of the unit, can be related to high school students’ personal lives. They do not ask the question, “why do I need to know this?” It breeds inquiry and critical thinking about oneself and the world around us.
The teacher who inspired me was my own high school psychology teacher, Gerald Palmer. He introduced me to the subject of psychology, encouraged me to pursue it, and supported me throughout my teaching career.
I would encourage teachers to get involved with the psychology community. For example, TOPSS, APA, social media groups, Advanced Placement teachers, etc. We are the best professional group to work with and always strive to provide the best applicable instructional strategies and lessons for our students.
I encourage new teachers to find their own way of teaching, meaning find what works for them. Their style of teaching needs to suit their personality and their teaching philosophy, and their own way of connecting the content with their students.
