Jeanne Turner, Jill Compher and Steven Turner are the 2018 award winners.
Since 2000, the American Psychological Association’s Committee of Teachers of Psychology in Secondary Schools (TOPSS) has presented to its most dedicated and successful teachers, the APA TOPSS Charles T. Blair-Broeker Excellence in Teaching Award. This year TOPSS is proud to recognize three outstanding educators in the field of psychology: Jeanne Turner, Jill Compher and Steven Turner. These three educators are dedicated to the field of psychology in their classrooms and well beyond. The expertise they share with their students and other high school psychology teachers and their involvement in making psychology a discipline that is appreciated at the local and national level is significant. The TOPSS committee congratulates them on their selection as 2018 award winners. Each received a framed certificate, an engraved award, $500 and a complimentary TOPSS membership renewal. Worth Publishers generously donated the “High School Psychology Video Anthology DVD” and a $500 credit to Bedford Freeman and Worth Publishers to each of the three winners. These teachers are shining models of excellence within the profession, as evidenced by their individual profiles.
Joe Swope, TOPSS Committee member-at-large, interviewed each recipient in 2018. The interviews are provided below.
Jeanne Turner
Why do you love teaching psychology?
Psychology can capture the interest of and relate to everyone, no matter how varied the individual passions. It makes for such a natural connection with students. It is through these student connections that I find myself engaging in the many different areas of psychology by relating research and encouraging them (the students) to investigate. This, in turn, broadens my knowledge as well and explores specialized areas for which there might not be time for in the over all curriculum. Another benefit is that students really see how psychology is a science, researched-based and not just common sense. I love seeing student growth and insight.
What does it mean to be recognized as an APA TOPSS Charles T. Blair-Broeker Excellence in Teaching Award recipient?
It is such an honor. It is so humbling and I keep wondering if there was a mistake. There are so many fantastic teachers in psychology. I sincerely feel like each year is my first as there is so much to learn and use. It also reinforces my belief not just in the interesting content of psychology but also in the use of psychology in teaching.
What is your favorite unit to teach?
Ha — well usually it is whatever unit I am currently teaching. But if I have to select one, I'd say the biological basis unit. There are just so many connections to be made for students as they move from the structure of the brain to the function. They ask such insightful questions that it serves us throughout the course, almost like a "home base" of common language and content for the class.
Do you have any words of advice for beginning psychology teachers?
Be an honest model for your students — in preparation, prioritizing and metacognition. There are a lot of great labs, web sites, etc. available and it can be overwhelming. Take what helps with your objectives and make it your own while giving credit where it is due. Don't try to be a copy of someone else. When you do things in a way that fits you, that is the best way to connect with students and help them learn. Treat failures as growth opportunities. Finally, beyond modeling, incorporate ways for students to practice these same skills.
Jill Compher
Why do you love teaching psychology?
Every kid that walks in my class made a choice to be there. They don’t need psychology to graduate. I’m winning before they ever walk in the door and find out that the subject matter is interesting. Best. Job. Ever.
What does it mean to be recognized as an APA TOPSS Charles T. Blair-Broeker Excellence in Teaching Award recipient?
I have the best teaching field in my school with students who work hard and enjoy spending time in my class. I am part of a truly open enrollment program where I might be a student’s first and only AP class. This is a challenge I take seriously. If I can spark a joy for psychology and learning in students, and build their confidence in extending their education, then I have added positive value in society and future leadership. Winning a "Charlie" is confirmation from my contemporaries that I'm doing something to reach the bar that Charlie set for all of us. I'm incredibly honored.
What is your favorite unit to teach?
Kids sign up for psychology for personality theory, Freud and the abnormal topics. I love seeing their eyes light up after biology, sensation and perception.
How do you or how should psychology teachers as a whole promote the idea that psychology is a science?
In my second year as a psychology teacher, I went through the curriculum and the Acorn guidebook. I highlighted each section that was science-based and I highlighted the percentages. Then I showed my principal. (I didn’t try this my first year) The color visual of exactly how much psychology was a science was enough for him to give me a lab budget.
Steven Turner
What does it mean to be recognized as an APA TOPSS Charles T. Blair-Broeker Excellence in Teaching Award recipient?
When I look at the list of past winners of the TOPSS award, it is humbling to see that it puts me in the company of people who have contributed so much toward building and bringing high school psychology to the place we are today. When I first started teaching psychology and I started looking for help and resources, many of those previous winners were the people who I found. I was surprised to find such a strong community of people around the country teaching psychology and quickly realized that we are such a strong community because of the presence of such strong teachers who are willing to have an outward focus and build something bigger than what goes on in their classroom and even their school. It is the highest honor to think that I would be recognized among those people.
What is your favorite unit to teach?
My favorite unit is probably cognition. In particular, memory is a fascinating topic. We seem to understand so much about how it works, but we still fail to practice what we know. I also find that when students gain a familiarity with the three-stage process of memory, it provides a model for us to return to throughout the year to help students think about their learning process and whether their strategies are effective. I’ve heard some people refer to the intro psychology course as a “user’s manual for your self.” I think with the cognition unit especially, students are able to learn how their brain works which is the first step to becoming a better thinker.
Why do you love teaching psychology?
My advice to a new psychology teacher would be to go all in. It is such a relevant and enjoyable class, so try to find the right balance of rigor to make the course as accessible as possible while staying true to the standards. If students end the year knowing they’ve learned something valuable and enjoyable, the class will grow. Also, get connected — join TOPSS, join the National Council for Social Studies psychology community, find a conference, find out how to get in touch with a regional network (or try to start one if you don’t have one nearby.)
What is your most memorable teaching moment?
One year, I saw a parent after the school year ended who said, “Mr. Turner, I just want to thank you. My daughter decided to get a tattoo because of your class.” I’m still not completely sure if she was actually happy about the tattoo, but one day in class while discussing therapies we completed a simple mindfulness exercise. I summarized mindfulness as the practice of “being present in the present.” I wasn’t even convinced that the lesson was very successful, but it stuck with this young lady enough that after graduating from high school she decided to tattoo the phrase “be present in the present” on the inside of her arm. So at least I know that on some level, I played a role in majors, careers, and even tattoo choices for my student.