What is PAR?
PAR is a peer support system for teachers seeking to improve instructional practices
in the classroom. We have a staff of highly skilled teacher/coaches (CT’s)
who can cover a range of grade levels, curriculum areas, and specializations.
Coaches are trained professionals and work with teachers who either volunteer
for PAR (VT) for self-improvement or are referred to PAR by their principal
(PT) to seek assistance due to less than satisfactory end of the year evaluations.
In either situation a coach’s role is that of only giving support to the
teacher and never evaluative. PAR coaches maintain a practice of strict confidentiality.
All of our coaching is reflective of the California Standards for the Teaching
Profession. Our goal is to help teachers to expand their skills and improve
their professional practices.
LET PAR BE YOUR PERSONAL TRAINER!!
Just like people go to the local fitness center to have a work out and keep
in shape we are providing teachers with a way to improve their teaching practices.
Like a customer at the gym who wants to design his or her own workout program,
PAR is providing you with the same kind of opportunity. At no cost and without
any obligation or official records teachers can volunteer to participate in
PAR. And best of all they may create their own program in the area of their
choice. They may stay in the program until they feel that their goals have been
met. There are no membership fees; just fill out a simple application and you
can get started right away.
Now read over some of the following scenarios where teachers might benefit from
our
PAR Personalized Coaching Services.
1. Little Johnny is interrupting my lesson again by making his funny noises
and another student gets up and sharpens his pencil without permission. Where
can I go to get some help with these unruly students so I can successfully deliver
my lesson?
Don’t worry. Just call one of the excellent coaches on the PAR staff
for some timely behavior management ideas and techniques to rein in misbehaving
students.
2. Last year I taught second grade and at the end of the year my principal informed
me that she needed me to fill a fifth grade position. Having never taught that
grade level before, and without appropriate materials, I am wondering what to
do.
Be calm. Help is available. Just give PAR a call and we will send out one
of our excellent trained coaches to help familiarize you with the new grade
level standards, acquire the appropriate materials, and get you started on the
right foot.
3. The district just developed some new math assessments and I feel like a rat
on a treadmill trying to keep pace. I am familiar with the math standards but
the amount of time it takes my students to really master the skills is longer
than is scheduled. I feel like I am caught between a rock and a hard place.
Who can I turn to for help?
Count slowly to ten…then call a PAR coach. They can work with you
to find new ways to prepare your students for benchmark tests and develop some
strategies to keep up with the pacing.
4. The other day I was looking for something I needed for a lesson I was preparing.
I recall that I saw it on my desk somewhere but today it’s nowhere to
be found. Things just don’t seem to be where I need them to be. I could
sure use someone to help me get my things in order. I hate feeling disorganized.
Keep your shirt on. Get some expert advice from one of our excellent PAR
coaches. They have lots of ideas to share with you on room organization, classroom
arrangement, and handy techniques that work.
5. I am a new administrator and I would like to be able to communicate more
effectively with my staff. What can I do to prevent misunderstandings and create
a better work environment?
Why not give PAR a call. Our coaches have been trained in mediation techniques to overcome obstacles to communication between teachers and administrators. They will be happy to share them with you.
If any of these situations strike a familiar chord then you may benefit from
the services of one of our PAR personal trainers. Our skilled coaching staff
is made up of excellent Escondido teachers who have had experience at your grade
level and can address your needs. That’s what we mean when we say, “Let
PAR be your personal coach.” We will work with you to design a program
to suit your needs and requirements. And you may leave the program whenever
you feel your needs have been met. There are no evaluations or notes kept by
PAR. Nothing from PAR will ever be placed in your personnel files. Everything
you do with us is kept strictly confidential.
PAR also has a shelf of books at the district library that you may check out
and use in a variety of subject areas: classroom management, first year of teaching,
classroom organization, best practices, and many more.
Who Can Take Advantage of PAR Services?
Permanent teachers, probationary teachers, emergency credentialed teachers,
new teachers, temporary teachers, special education teachers, and administrators
are eligible for PAR services.
How Do I Reach PAR To Reserve My Own Personal Coach?
Just get one of our bright “green” PAR brochures available in most
teachers’ lounges or hanging on the EEEA Bulletin Board in your workroom.
Fill out the application portion, put it in a brown envelope, and drop it in
the district mailbag. It should be addressed to PAR/ care of: Pat Palmer, Curriculum
and Instruction. You may contact PAR by phone: (760) 432-2154. You can also
fax your application to PAR: (760) 735-2875. If you prefer, you may also reach
PAR by calling the EEEA office: 746-1438 and tell them you are interested in
receiving PAR support.
Gary Zarnow
Chairperson
PAR Panel
For information contact: ppalmer@eusd4kids.org or call Pat Palmer @ 760 432-2154