Educational Psychology Course Earns Devoted Following

Huntington High School’s Educational Psychology course debuted in the 2024/25 school year. Registration is open to students in grades 11-12. The one semester course

“This course is an introduction to the psychological foundations of education, aimed at developing basic competence in the following areas: an understanding of growth and development; the psychology of personality and adjustment; the assessment and handling of individual differences; and the psychology of learning,” states the course description. “The Huntington High School course will be co-seated with EDU 115 at St. Joseph’s University (dual enrollment).”

The course’s prerequisite is Global Studies 10 Regents or Advanced Placement World History. “This course will be offered to provide students interested in a potential career in education with opportunity to move forward by taking an undergraduate college level course,” according to the course rationale provided to the Huntington School Board. “Huntington High School will establish a partnership with St. Joseph’s University Bridge program and its department of education, with the common goal of meeting the interests of our high school students who may want to pursue a career in teaching. The course will do its small part in potentially generating interest in the education profession and contributing to a local educator pipeline.”

The course offers an introduction to the psychological foundations of education. It is aimed at developing basic competence in the following areas: an understanding of growth and development; the psychology of personality and adjustment; the assessment and handling of individual differences; and the psychology of learning.

“This course is strongly encouraged for any student considering majoring in education in college,” according to the high school’s curriculum guide. “Those interning with Huntington High School teachers, are strongly encouraged to take this course.”

The course is taught by department veteran Erik Bruckbauer, who has been a Huntington High School social studies teacher since 2002. He earned an undergraduate degree in political science at SUNY Plattsburgh and obtained graduate degrees at Dowling College and Stony Brook University in secondary education and educational administration, respectively.