Wayne Ha, a psychology teacher at West Aurora High School in Aurora, Illinois, has been named a national winner of the 2020
APA TOPSS Charles T. Blair-Broeker Excellence in Teaching Award
by the American Psychological Association's Committee of Teachers of Psychology in Secondary Schools (TOPSS).
“Wayne’s compassion for his students and love for psychology provide a path for students to achieve at a high level,” said Jennifer Schlicht, MS, chair of APA’s TOPSS Committee. “He is the type of teacher every student hopes to have at some point in their lives.”
Ha has been a high school teacher for fourteen years and has taught psychology for five years. He connects with students both inside and outside of the classroom. A former student Amy Zine praised him for being the kind of teacher who is respected by students and who creates a safe environment for learning.
“He wanted to get to know us and wanted us to succeed. A teacher’s attitude matters as much as his skill, and students always know how much [Ha] cares about their education, so they rise to the occasion. They put in as much effort as he does, and when everyone shows complete dedication in the classroom, it makes for a perfect learning environment,” said Zine. In recognition of his dedication to his students, Ha was received a Golden Apple Award in his school district in 2018.
Pete Baker, West Aurora High School Dean of Students, spoke highly of him, saying, that since Ha “joined our West High team, [he] has built thousands of relationships with students and staff members that will have a lasting impact on our school and community. He embodies professionalism by his passion for teaching, his commitment to professional excellence, and his impact that he has on student learning.”
Ha brings his love and knowledge of psychology into the four walls of his classroom and strives to create lessons that challenge students, that helps them to become more reflective on their own lives and their surroundings, and that allows students to see the opportunities in the fields of psychology. He uses personal stories and connections to make his classes engaging and personal. He also has presented at regional teaching conferences and is a freelance psychology writer.
“When you enter [his] classroom, it is clearly evident that he is passionate about the content, and that he sparks curiosity with the students. He thoroughly plans for his lessons, and he consistently produces a high-level engagement from his students.” Baker stated. “His growth mindset is positively contagious to other staff members, and he always is solution-oriented when addressing issues. [He] is truly passionate about his content and he is fully invested in teaching psychology for the betterment of our society.”
Ha has contributed to significant improvements while in the psychology program at West Aurora High School. Under his supervision the psychology program grew from five courses to ten and he oversaw the creation of a Mental Health Awareness Club and is currently its faculty sponsor.
“Wayne Ha has shown great commitment to his students, school and the science of psychology and we are honored to present him the APA TOPSS Charles T. Blair-Broeker Excellence in Teaching Award," Schlicht said. “When considering those who embody what it means to be an excellent teacher, he exceeds every criteria.”
Ha will receive a framed certificate, engraved award, cash prize of $500 and a complimentary TOPSS membership renewal for the 2021 membership year. Additionally, Bedford, Freeman & Worth Publishersopens in new window is generously donating a $500 credit to Bedford, Freeman & Worth Publishers to each of the winning teachers.
Now in its 28th year, TOPSS is the voice of high school psychology teachers within APA. Through APA’s Education Directorate, TOPSS offers teaching materials, professional development, the Psychology Teacher Network quarterly newsletter and programs for high school psychology teachers and students. There are approximately 2,000 APA high school teacher affiliates in APA. Psychology continues to be a popular high school course, with just over 311,000 students taking the Advanced Placement (AP) psychology exam in 2019. In May 2019 there were just over 21,500 students worldwide who took the International Baccalaureate (IB) psychology exam. On-level and other psychology courses are also taught at the high school level.
TOPSS’s mission is to promote the highest standards in the teaching of psychology as a science and discipline; promote professional development and other means for lifelong learning for high school teachers of psychology; facilitate networking among teachers from all teaching levels of psychology; encourage recruitment and retention of students in the field of psychology; enhance the visibility and legitimacy of high school psychology; and recommend the appropriate advocacy, education policy and certification issues that impact the quality or visibility of teaching of high school psychology. Learn more about TOPSS on the APA Teachers of Psychology in Secondary Schools webpage and on its Facebookopens in new window page.
For more information, please contact Emily Leary Chesnes.
