Making the Most of Parent-Teacher Conferences
I have gone to 13 years of parent-teacher conferences, and throughout my time on the parent side of the table, I have learned some things. Here are a few tips for anyone setting up these semi-annual school appointments to discuss our favorite people.
Be Open
I am lucky. My children have mostly positive conferences. But if he or she is having a rough time, I find if I’m open to what the teacher is saying, the conference and year are both more productive. I try to really listen to what is going on when my child is in the classroom.
If I put aside my mama-bear attitude and approach the tough conference with a productive mindset, the benefits are endless. The teacher’s whole goal is to make his or her classroom a place of safety and inspiration. I want to make sure my child is benefitting from that, but I also want to assure he or she isn’t taking away opportunities for other children to have that as well. Remaining open is beneficial to me, my children, and the classroom.
Write Down Questions
The teacher has such valuable information about how my child acts during the day. I don’t get to be there for that, and I am always so interested in how they listen, how they treat their classmates, and if they take a leadership role or sit back and let others do that.
Because I have so many questions, before I attend each conference, I write down three or four questions for the teacher that I don’t want to forget. I find when I’m at the conference, I get distracted by the conversation, so I may forget to ask what I’ve been wondering. If I have my questions ready, I am more prepared, and the meeting is more productive.
Thank the Teacher
My kids’ teachers are heroes to me. I am forever impressed by their patience, content knowledge, multi-tasking ability, and love for kids. As a teacher, I can appreciate the work these individuals put in to make sure my child has everything he or she needs to excel. After the conference is over, I try to thank the teachers for the specific things they have done or have provided for my child.
Grading, planning, and teaching are only one chunk of an educator’s requirements. They forgive our children. They help our kids grow. Heck, they make it so one day our children can fly the nest and survive on their own. Our teachers know that a career in education is the best, but it’s not easy, and I want each teacher to know how much I appreciate his or her time, effort, and energy.
From a Teacher’s Perspective
Parent-teacher conference time is always an interesting one for teachers. I think I can speak for most of us when I say there is no substitute for the personal communication fostered by a sit-down conference with another stakeholder in our children’s lives.
Although we send emails and make phone calls, there is something magical about sitting down with a parent to discuss the strengths and weaknesses of children. Not only do we get on the same page, but we also celebrate successes and hammer out solutions in that short meeting. If the student joins us that is an added bonus. After all, the conference is about him or her, so when the child of the moment is present, all lines of communication are open.
Parent-teacher conferences have changed over the years. Meetings can now be student-led, appointment-based, open-house style, etc. No matter the format of the conference, the goal is the same: to make sure our children are on the right track to becoming successful adults.
What do you love or dislike about school conferences? We’d love to hear.