Message from the APA TOPSS chair

Fall greetings from TOPSS,

I hope this message finds you well. On behalf of TOPSS, I would like to highlight several resources and opportunities we have planned for high school psychology teachers.

TOPSS is excited to offer a free webinar with David Myers, PhD, of Hope College on The Social Media Generation: Supporting Teens in the Digital Age. The webinar will be held Monday, November 9, at 7 p.m. Eastern time. Register for the webinaropens in new window. A recording of this webinar will be sent to everyone who registers for this event.

The November 1 deadline for the fall APF High School Psychology Outreach Grants is approaching quickly. These funds are designed to support local teachers in establishing or supporting regional networks for high school teachers of psychology. If you need assistance getting started, check out our revised Building, Guiding, and Sustaining Regional Networks (PDF, 108KB)opens in new window how-to guide The funds are also available for new and established networks. Please contact Emily Leary Chesnes with questions.

This initiative supports in-person career events that bring psychology professionals to meet with high school and community college students to discuss career pathways in psychology. Hosts can apply for $300 to support these events. Funds must be awarded by December 2026 but career events can be held through spring 2027. This is a great way to have community involvement at your school and with your students. You can apply to receive $300 for support with food or materials. Additional information can be found through the initiative website.

• New to teaching psych or looking to revamp your course? Don’t forget to check out this article on Do’s and don’ts in teaching psychology.
• Don’t forget to check out the Videos for Teachers site to assist in revamping ways how to teach each pillar of content.
• We encourage you to peruse the redesigned TOPSS website featuring easy accessibility sections such as a searchable database of teacher funding opportunities, unit lesson plans, and instructional support resources. 

Finally, thanks to everyone who voted in the TOPSS committee elections—and thanks to our great candidates too.  The election results will be shared as soon as voted have been tallied and confirmed.  

Keep up the great work in your classrooms! Please contact me with any questions, suggestions, or concerns you may have.

Sincerely, 

Kari Hall, MA 
Williston High School 
Williston, North Dakota 
2026 TOPSS Chair