Statement for Kari Hall

Psychology is taught by a diverse field of educators, which creates extreme synergy when we unite. Like many other teachers, I never set out to teach psychology, yet I have flourished in the field with quality resources and connections. This fall marks my 25th year teaching psychology courses and, on the first day, I always gush that they are my favorite. I choose to teach psychology and explore the world with them using the lens of psychology. Teaching psychology allows for a powerful reflection of the world we discover together.

During my career, I have intentionally sought out content-rich professional development opportunities to strengthen what I bring to the classroom. I rejuvenate as an educator by teaming with other like-minded educators. Psychology has molded and shaped both my teaching style and classroom effectiveness. As a history teacher and Holocaust educator, psychology provides a cross-curricular approach to reflect on historical events with added depth. My continued work with the National World War II Museum as a teaching fellow has provided intensive opportunities on an Educator Advisory Council and my Holocaust curriculum lesson is set for fall 2024 publication. I recently completed the Albert H. Small Normandy Institute, which focused on Operation Overlord to win World War II and writing a eulogy for a local soldier buried in France. As we stood on the shores of Utah and Omaha beaches, much of the contemplation and understanding was through the psychological lens of the price of freedom.

My experience as a TOPSS member-at-large sparked educational practices that have grown pedagogical ideas beyond what I could ever generate if left to my own devices. The APA Introductory Psychology Initiative content pillars are currently rolling out in the College Board’s AP psychology course, giving our work at TOPSS a new layer of importance. The wealth of knowledge held by TOPSS members, the genuine quality of educators, and professional comradery continue to impress me! I would be honored to serve as chair-elect to continue the diligence and dedication to quality psychological teaching in secondary schools.

I have a passion for connecting psychology educators. Whether you teach a single section of psychology, are “the” social studies teacher in your building, or teach a full schedule of psychology, we are better together. As a psychology teacher in a rural area, I lack colleagues with this content strength, local conferences to attend, or opportunities geared toward the teaching of psychology. Psychology teachers are often isolated geographically, academically, or systemically, but TOPSS provides great resources, while creating a consortium of mentors. The current leadership team has dedicated itself to reaching teachers with best practices and vetted resources. TOPSS fosters an instant comradery of educators striving for best practices, the inclusion of new educators in the field, and a quest for effective teaching. This mission is exactly why I love teaching psychology!

As high school educators, we are the boots on the ground to prepare the discipline for the future. I have 24 years of on-level and advanced placement teaching experience, which motivates me to mentor others. As an educator, I am dedicated to maintaining the highest standards of teaching, modeling the principles of lifelong learning, and empowering others to embrace psychology. I have remained active beyond my classroom by serving as a judge for the TOPSS Student Video Competition and assisting with the journal article, “The Benefits of Introducing the American Psychological Association Guidelines 3.0 in High School Psychology,” set for fall 2024 publication in the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning journal. I also authored a book review of David G. Myers’ How Do We Know Ourselves? for the Psychology Teacher Network newsletter.

I have over two decades of experience as a presenter at various district and regional in-service meetings, have incorporated classroom grants to impact student engagement, and have served as department chairperson, overseeing 10 members and all PLC initiatives. I am a candidate for the TOPSS chair-elect position to continue this work as a leading resource for standards and guidelines for teachers in the trenches.