Parent/Teacher Conferences

Those dreaded days are coming...only they shouldn't be dreadful.  This is your opportunity to shine as a teacher.  Parent/Teacher conferences are the perfect opportunity to display what your students CAN do.  Even if you have some concerns to share with parents, celebrations should by far outweigh concerns.  Another way to ease the burden of sharing academic or behavior concerns is by building relationships with parents before conferences come around, especially spring conferences.  One way I build relationships is by making weekly phone calls to my parents.  This is a way to partner with them before problems arise.  I always conclude conversations by asking them if there is anything I can do to support them.  School districts usually have lots of resources that can be provided to parents in need of help with food, shelter, clothing, utilities, medical and dental opportunities, etc.  This is also a great opportunity to introduce them to the school counselor and family-school liaison.  Most of the time they say no, but there is that one chance that they need help and are not sure how or who to ask.  In the event you have to call about a concern it will be less intimidating to the parent.  They are already partners in their child's school success!  Hope this helps.  Remember to focus on the positives first...find as many successes as you can to share.  The concerns are only a small "bump" in the road.