Now that the APA Summit for High School Psychology Education is over, it is hard to summarize exactly the impact that this unique event will have on teachers and Psychology education in general. The summit itself was a remarkable event. The dedication of summit leaders and representatives from the Education Directorate made this experience a reality. This could not have happened without their vision and the financial support from many donors. The combined energy and enthusiasm of all participants was infectious. The work leading up to the summit allowed group members to develop bonds that only strengthened as they worked on common goals in Ogden. However, the sense of camaraderie and shared purpose extended beyond the individual strands. It was thrilling to see instructors at all levels from all strands, chatting and collaborating. The shared brainpower and dynamism of these individuals was inspiring. It was also a time for long-time leaders in psychology education to mentor and nurture future leaders. Participants were motivated by personal interest and inspired by the words of keynote speakers, such as APA President Tony Puente, PhD, David G. Myers, PhD, and Charlie Blair-Broeker, MAT. The summit resulted in the production of over forty deliverables all aimed at improving the state of high school psychology education.
Though the summit is over, the work continues. Members of the Strands carry on refining what they produced during the Summit and some are developing new projects. But it is time to get these products into the hands of those who will benefit most. The TOPSS Committee, working with the summit steering committee, summit participants and representatives at the Education Directorate, are working on a dissemination plan. The first deliverable went “live” early this fall. Strand 6, which focused on professional development, created an online map of professional development opportunities at the local, regional, state and national levels that are available to high school teachers. This invaluable resource will help teachers find workshops and conferences where they can obtain resources they need and the chance to network with others. Check out what is happening in your region. If there is something that needs to be included, make sure to contact TOPSS. You can expect much more, concerning professional development, from this busy Strand in the coming months.
The summit deliverables address some of the most important needs of psychology teachers today. The eight strands were selected because each was thought to be a critical issue in psychology education at the high school level today and for the foreseeable future ahead. As I consider the impact that the summit might have, I have many hopes. I hope to see psychology recognized for its scientific nature and valued as a part of STEM. I look to our next National Standards to support the teaching of scientific psychology while assisting teachers in developing a course that is both engaging and pedagogically sound. I believe the summit will lead to professional development opportunities that will prepare teachers to teach the science of psychology while not neglecting the skills necessary to promote student well-being. I wish to see empowered teachers advocating for their field and students. I hope that all psychology teachers will thoughtfully address assessment in their courses and have the tools and desire necessary to assess their own classroom performance. I hope to see diversity as a central consideration in the classroom and not a footnote. I want to see TOPSS expand its reach to all psychology teachers through available technology. The mission of the summit was to create the best future for high school psychology, and I hope the deliverables produced, recommendations made, and the discussions started will benefit our teaching and promote our course as the vital science it is. We cannot look into a crystal ball and know the true impact of the summit, but from what is in store, the results can only be positive for us as teachers of Psychology and for our students.
About the author
Kristin H. Whitlock, MEd, has been teaching AP psychology since 1992 and currently teaches at Davis High School in Kaysville, Utah. Currently Whitlock serves as chair of the TOPSS Committee. She is a question leader at the annual AP psychology reading and has served as the College Board advisor to the AP Psychology Test Development Committee. She has authored many articles and teaching materials to support the AP psychology curriculum and has presented at numerous teaching conferences. Most recently she presented at the National Institute on the Teaching of Psychology, Stanford’s Psychology One Conference, the AP Annual Conference and the National Council for the Social Studies Annual Conference. As a College Board consultant, she also conducts AP psychology workshops. Whitlock is also the program director for the annual Utah-Teachers of Psychology in Secondary Schools Fall Conference. When not doing something related to psychology, Whitlock loves to spend time with her three fabulous children and wonderfully supportive husband.