The Society for the Teaching of Psychology (Division Two of APA) invites submissions for the Mentorship of Teachers Award. Consistent with our Mission Statement and the Statement on Addressing Systemic Racism and Inequity in STP (located in the STP Policies and Procedures Manual), we encourage submissions from colleagues who are from underrepresented groups and have diverse backgrounds and experiences and are members of STP.

The purpose of this award is to recognize various forms of mentoring of teachers, including sharing knowledge and expertise, providing support and encouragement, offering feedback on performance, helping to identify opportunities and resources, and serving as a professional role model. The mentorship award, which honors those who mentor teachers, is distinct from the Excellence in Teaching Awards, some of which recognize mentoring of student professional development. The award is not limited to mentoring teachers of psychology, but may include mentoring of teachers in other disciplines.

2025 Award Recipient

This year’s recipient of STP’s Mentorship of Teachers Award is Dr. Barbara Kucinski, Ph.D., a Teaching Professor at the University of Pittsburgh, where she has taught and developed a variety of courses. Most notably, Dr. Kucinski has developed a Teaching of Psychology course which is highly regarded by her colleagues. Dr. Kucinski has guided 20 to 30 mentees each year in the department since 2008 and has been called an “irreplaceable mentor” who not only provides practical teaching strategies but also supports her students through challenges, including the abrupt shift to remote learning during the COVID-19 pandemic.  Her mentorship philosophy emphasizes empowerment, fostering independence and confidence in her mentees while modeling lifelong learning, respect, and empathy toward students. Colleagues credit her with single-handedly elevating the quality of psychology education at the University of Pittsburgh, with an influence that extends nationwide as her protégés enter faculty positions across the country.

Past Recipients

2024 Jordan Wagge, Avila University (MO)
2023: Jessica Hartnett, Gannon University (PA)
2022: Richard L. Miller, Texas A&M University - Kingsville
2021: Melissa Beers, The Ohio State University
2020:  Judith Bryant, University of South Florida

Call for Applications

The awardee will receive either a monetary award of $1500 or up to $1500 in travel reimbursement for attending STP's Annual Conference on Teaching during the award year and a plaque.

Criteria

Awardee plays an exceptional role in using psychological expertise to mentor teachers that may include the following:

• The person provides exceptional mentorship to aid colleagues at any level who are developing their skills in teaching
• The person supports faculty at any stage of their careers (e.g., graduate student teachers, early-career faculty, mid-career faculty, and/or senior faculty) with their professional development as teachers
• The person provides valuable advice to teachers at any stage on preparing for tenure and promotion, supporting and collaborating with faculty on Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (SoTL), and/or any professional training/workshops for teachers

In summary, the award recipient is both a leader and role model for a broad range of teachers across career stages and/or disciplines.

The deadline for submissions is February 15 of the award year. Priority will be given to individuals who have not received the award in the past. STP reserves the right not to make an award if the STP Mentorship of Teachers Award Committee believes no submissions are qualified in a particular year. 

Please review the policies regarding STP awards and grant programs.

Materials to be submitted

• A two-page cover letter highlighting the contributions to various forms of mentorship
• A full CV
• Three letters of support, including at least one from a teacher who has benefited from the applicant’s mentorship
• A letter of support from the applicant’s supervisor (e.g., department chair, dean, program director, or provost)

All submission materials must elaborate on perspectives and values added through their mentorship, and letters of support need to complement the applicant’s contribution. 

Submit materials for the Mentorship of Teachers Award (requires login).

Contact

For more information, please contact the Chair of the Mentorship Award Committee Chelsea Robertson at mentor-award@teachpsych.org.