Mr. Parra Biology CP

Mr. Parra joins Newbury Park High School following a 15 year career of working as an Exercise Physiologist, and teaching part-time at the college level--as well as spending the past 4 years teaching grades K-12. Mr. Parra has a single-subject teaching credential, with a specialty in the biological sciences. Mr. Parra holds a Master of Science degree in Kinesiology (with an emphasis in Exercise Physiology) from California State University, Northridge (CSUN). In 1999 Mr. Parra became a member of the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA), and in 2000 earned the distinction of becoming a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS). Mr. Parra is also a certified Physical Therapy Aide. His main focuses of study are in biology, anatomy, strength and conditioning, biomechanics, exercise physiology, functional/integrative training, and child/human development. Before making the career change to teaching full-time at the high school level, Mr. Parra applied his extensive knowledge of human movement designing and implementing various exercise programs for the general population and athletes of all ages.

Mr. Parra began his teaching and coaching career during graduate school (2000-2003). While earning his Master’s degree he was employed as a teaching associate within the Kinesiology Department at CSUN, and interned as the strength and conditioning coach with the CSUN football team. Concurrently, Mr. Parra was on staff at College of the Canyons in Santa Clarita (2000-2003) as an adjunct faculty member/strength and conditioning coach. During his years working as a trainer he worked with kids in grades K-12, and has also trained numerous college, professional, and Olympic athletes.

Fun Facts:

• • Mr. Parra actually started off his college career as a music and art major, while also playing guitar in various rock bands.

  • In 2003 Mr. Parra helped develop, appeared, and received writing credit for the “HOPSports” DVD and infomercial, “Training at the Speed of Sport--20 Drills Every Kid Should Know,” which is still being utilized by PE instructors across the country.

  • Mr. Parra has participated and been involved with various sports and exercise for over 30 years, and used to reach out to the local community by writing magazine articles on current health and fitness topics and trends.

Mr. Parra has trained athletes from the following organizations: