Resources for Our PAL Partner Schools

Pal is committed to working with diverse underserved P-12 students and schools throughout San Diego County.

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PAL Partner Schools

PAL wouldn't be possible without the participation of our local schools. Thank you!

"PAL students always bring fresh perspectives, honest curiosity, cultural diversity, and sincere enthusiasm that deepen the learning happening in my classroom. They help me create a collaborative learning environment that values a shared responsibility where we all benefit from learning together as a team."

- PAL classroom teacher

Introduction Video

Intro to PAL Video: Learn more about how PAL works with our community partners and in the classroom.

PAL Partnership Responsibilities

The Role of the UCSD PAL Student:

To learn about the students, the classroom, the school, and the surrounding community;
To follow the direction of the host teacher and assist with classroom teaching and learning activities; and to participate in those activities by working with individual or small groups of students;
To assist with instruction under teacher supervision;
To serve as a college role model and caring adult to all students at the site;
To complete of minimum of 40 consistent field hours during the ten-week quarter.

The Role of the Host Teacher:

To provide the UC San Diego PAL Student with basic information about the students, the classroom, the school site, and the community;
As appropriate, to provide lesson plans and guidance which allow the UC San Diego PAL student to work with individuals and small groups of students;
To facilitate opportunities for the UC San Diego PAL Student to complete required course assignments;
To maintain regular communication with the UC San Diego PAL Student through informal talks at school, phone conversations, email, and/or text;
To sign a log sheet for the UC San Diego PAL Student at the end of each site visit.

The Role of the UCSD Instructor and Course Assistants:

To provide the UC San Diego PAL Students with class sessions, readings and assignments that support their work and thinking about education;
To monitor UC San Diego PAL Students through weekly journals and regular meetings;
To address questions and concerns of UC San Diego PAL Students and Host Teachers.

Overview of PAL Classes & Student Roles

student roles chart

The UC San Diego Academic Year: UC San Diego operates on the quarter system. Fall quarter begins at the end of September and ends in mid-December. Winter quarter begins in January and ends in mid-March. Spring quarter runs between the beginning of April and the beginning of June. For exact dates, please refer to the current UC San Diego academic year calendar.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is PAL? The PAL program, part of the Department of Education Studies, is UC San Diego's largest service-learning program. PAL provides opportunities for UC San Diego’s undergraduate students to work with underserved P-12 students and schools while earning upper division course credit and fulfilling graduation requirements.

Who can enroll in a PAL class? PAL courses are open to all UCSD undergraduates who have 2nd year standing and above. Qualifying local community college students may also cross-enroll in PAL courses.

Do PAL students have previous experience working with youth? Not necessarily – UCSD students from all majors and minors take PAL courses for a variety of reasons. No previous tutoring or mentoring experience is required for enrollment. However, many PAL students have previously worked with youth in a variety of school and other settings.

What other requirements are there for PAL students? Prior to enrollment, all students are required to complete a placement information form and must fulfill the program’s screening requirements.

What communities does PAL serve? PAL serves high-needs schools and communities throughout San Diego.

Placements:

When are students assigned to a school? Students receive their placement information during the first week of each UCSD academic quarter. Fall quarter begins at the end of September and ends in mid-December. Winter quarter begins in January and ends in mid-March. Spring quarter runs between the beginning of April and the beginning of June. For exact dates, please refer to the current UC San Diego academic year calendar.

How do I find out if a PAL student has been assigned to my classroom? Please contact your school’s PAL site liaison for information about the PAL students assigned to your school.

When will my student come to my classroom? Students generally start going out to classrooms during the end of the first week or sometime during the second week of the quarter.

How many hours per week will the PAL student be working at my site? All PAL students must complete at least 40 hours of service by the end of the quarter. Generally this translates into ~4-6 hours per week. Your student should work with you to set up and maintain a consistent weekly schedule throughout the ten week quarter. Students, whose regularly scheduled day(s) falls on a holiday, are responsible for making up those hours.

How long do placements last? All placements run for the duration of the 10-week quarter in which the student was placed.

How is my PAL student trained and monitored? The PAL program employs a service-learning model. During their placements, all PAL students are enrolled in an Education Studies course and submit weekly reports to their instructor and attend a weekly discussion section.

Who do I contact if I have questions or concerns about a student? Please contact your student’s instructor or the PAL Program director, Caren Holtzman choltzman@ucsd.edu, at any time if you have any questions or concerns about your PAL student.

Contact Us

PAL Director

Caren Holtzman
choltzman@ucsd.edu

Artsbridge

Caren Holtzman
choltzman@ucsd.edu

Early Childhood Education

Alison Wishard-Guerra
awishard@ucsd.edu

Partners at Learning is located on the 3rd floor of Pepper Canyon Hall which is located north of Gilman Parking Structure.