Peer Assistance and Review (PAR) Program Overview

At the beginning of the 2013–2014 academic year, the Salt Lake City School District (SLCSD), in partnership with the Salt Lake Education Association (SLEA), launched the Peer Assistance and Review (PAR) Program—an innovative initiative aimed at enhancing instructional quality across the district. The PAR Program provides comprehensive support to educators, including both novice teachers and experienced professionals seeking to refine their practice.

The program is currently chaired by Nathan Elkins, Director of Human Resource Services for Certified Staff, who coordinates meetings and serves as the primary liaison for PAR Consulting Teachers and the PAR Panel. Leadership of the program is jointly held by Mike Harman, President of SLEA, and the Executive Director of Human Resource Services at SLCSD.

The PAR Program exemplifies the shared commitment of SLCSD and SLEA to elevate teaching standards and foster professional growth. It reflects a collaborative approach to identifying, supporting, developing, and retaining high-quality educators. This initiative marks a significant cultural shift, emphasizing joint ownership of instructional excellence and reinforcing a unified vision for professional teaching practices.

Program Highlights

• Consulting Teachers: Five full-time Consulting Teachers have been selected and trained to provide intensive mentoring, classroom support, and performance evaluation for all first-year elementary and secondary teachers.
• Professional Development: Consulting Teachers assist with professional growth planning, classroom setup, lesson design, instructional strategies, and co-teaching.
• Experienced Educators: Abigail Barry, Katharine Dalton, Vivian Shell, Amy Firestone, and Elizabeth Holloway—each recognized for their exemplary teaching—serve as the district’s PAR Consulting Teachers.
• Support for Career Teachers: In addition to mentoring new educators, Consulting Teachers also work with career-status teachers who require targeted support to enhance their effectiveness.
• PAR Panel: A six-member panel, composed of three SLEA teacher leaders and three district administrators, oversees the program and provides strategic guidance to the Consulting Teachers.

Peer Assistance and Review Contact

Human Resource Services- Certified Director

Nathan Elkins

Nathan.Elkins@slcschools.org