The American Psychological Association (APA)
has announced Stephanie Franks, Social Studies (Psychology) Teacher at
Springboro High School, as one (1) of three (3) recipients of the national 2019 APA TOPSS Charles T. Blair-Broeker Excellence in
Teaching Award.
The
purpose of the APA TOPSS Charles T. Blair-Broeker Excellence in Teaching Award
is to provide an opportunity for TOPSS (Teachers of Psychology in
Secondary Schools) to recognize outstanding teachers in psychology. The APA
TOPSS Charles T. Blair-Broeker Excellence in Teaching Awards are given to
outstanding high school psychology teachers recognized for exemplary teaching,
for advancing the science of psychology, and for their commitment to academic
and professional excellence.
As a
recipient of this award, Ms. Franks will receive a framed award certificate, an
engraved Jefferson Cup, a cash prize of $500, and a complimentary TOPSS
membership renewal for 2020. She will also receive a $500 credit to Bedford,
Freeman & Worth Publishers and a copy of the High School Psychology Video
Anthology, both generously donated by Worth Publishers.
“We are delighted to recognize Ms. Franks’ outstanding teaching and classroom accomplishments,” said Emily Leary Chesnes, MBA, Assistant Director, Precollege and Undergraduate Education,
Education Directorate, American Psychological Association. Springboro High
School Principal, Kyle Martin, was notified of the announcement through a
letter from Catherine L. Grus, PhD, Acting Chief
Education Officer of the American Psychological Association.
APA has long supported
the teaching of high school psychology. High school psychology courses are the
start of the pipeline into the discipline, and high school teachers play an
important role in educating the public about psychological science. TOPSS promotes
the highest standards in the teaching of high school psychology; there are
approximately 2,000 APA High School Teacher Affiliates.
High school psychology is
a rapidly growing course option. In 2018, nearly 312,000 students took the Advanced
Placement (AP) psychology examination. Additionally, just under 21,800 high
school students worldwide took the International Baccalaureate (IB) psychology
exam in psychology last year.
According to the National
Center for Education Statistics, in 2009, the most recent year of available data,
nearly 30% of graduating students earned credits in a psychology course during
their four (4) years in high school (U.S. Department of Education, 2011).