I reached out to the Peer Intervention Program in August 2013. During the preceding school year, I had experienced difficulties in a new assignment. I had heard about the Peer Intervention Program through the New York Teacher newspaper and decided to see if the program could help me.

From the beginning of our work together, my intervenor set specific goals for each work session as well as each intervention cycle. These specific targets helped to focus our attention and to keep the intervention progressing steadily toward the goals that the intervenor helped me set for myself. Several specific areas that we focused on were classroom management, cooperative work groups and literacy centers.

Thanks to the Peer Intervention Program’s help, by the end of the year my classroom and my performance were viewed favorably by administration. My room was viewed as a “model” classroom, and I received an Effective rating.

Finally, with my intervenor’s help and encouragement, I applied for and was accepted by a teacher leadership program, which I will begin this fall.

The Peer Intervention Program helped me to create a successful learning environment that has benefited my school and my students and has advanced my career with the Department of Education.

Will Ruch, PS 316, Brooklyn