“Looking forward to parent-teacher conferences? You must be nuts!”
I am one of those veteran educators that looks forward to meeting with parents/guardians at least twice a year at parent-teacher conferences. I actually get excited at the prospect of getting to know more about my students’ families and home environments, exchanging ideas with parents/guardians, and designing a common plan of action for student success.
Throughout my 38 years of teaching, I have learned a few things about making connections with parents and family members.
Here are some tips to make parent-teacher conferences successful as a bridge that connects school and home:
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Do your homework beforehand: find out the student’s family background, who the student lives with, and any information that may lead to a smooth communicative meeting.
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Be open to parent suggestions: ask how you can help the child succeed and achieve his/her best in school.
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Listen to their concerns without becoming defensive (difficult to do, I know): this is necessary to keep communication channels open and productive.
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Be prepared: have examples of activities, quizzes, projects, and grades ready to share.
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Limit your conversation to that particular student’s performance: stay away from making comparisons between specific students.
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If necessary, propose a continuance: if the conversation gets heated, propose a continuance at a future date with an administrator and/or a counselor present.
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Be cognizant of past experiences: some parents may not have associated school with good experiences in their past. It is crucial to make them feel comfortable and welcomed in the educational setting.
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Learn about the cultural background of the student: if the parents speak a different language, try to arrange for a translator to be available, and invite the child to attend with them. If possible, you could even arrange a building tour so that parents who may be new to the district can become familiar with the school areas their child has to navigate on a daily basis.
Quote byAlicia Bata , Vice-President of Education
As educators, we must advocate for the success of all students. We need to acknowledge and examine our own expectations to ensure that we treat students fairly and equitably. Remember, parents and educators have common goals in mind: they care about children, and they want them to succeed and feel that they are a valuable component of their school and community.
