I feel fortunate that my first experience as a parent with parent-teacher conferences was when my oldest was a preschooler. I didn’t know what to expect, felt overwhelmed, and I even cried* when I fully recognized the extent of the teacher’s ability to nurture and teach. But 6 years later, I have become much more at ease with the process.
Establishing a rapport with your child’s teacher is critical and the parent-teacher conference is one of the few occasions where you will be able to interact face-to-face individually. Here are 10 strategies for developing Parent-Teacher partnerships during conference time:
1. Do your homework. Review tests, and assignments so that you can ask about any patterns, philosophies or concerns related to the work your child is completing. Also write down any questions you have about things that your child has shared with you about school.
2. Ask questions. This is a time for sharing your child’s strengths, as well as areas for improvement, so be sure to ask how your child’s learning can be supported at school and at home.
3. Get involved. Find ways to establish a rapport with the teacher prior to parent-teacher conference day if possible by volunteering, sending in needed supplies, or simply corresponding with the teacher through notes or e-mail. Getting to know each other is an ongoing process.
4. Consider the whole child (Academic, Social, and Behavioral). Ensure that discussion includes different aspects of your child, including academic, social and behavioral components. This can be especially challenging if there is a concern in one of these areas, because the other components naturally tend to take a backseat.
5. Bring Teacher’s favorite treat Give thanks. Make a point of thanking the teacher for all they do with your child. He or she spends a great deal of time with them and a “shout out” goes a long way.
6. Save topics that can be addressed in a note or e-mail. Make the most of your conference time by saving simple questions (such as the date of the next field trip) for later. In this digital age of online grade sharing systems and e-mail, use these tools instead or send a note.
7. Find out how the teacher prefers to communicate. Whether it is via e-mail, phone, or notes, be sensitive to the teacher’s preferred method of communication if possible. This is also the time to share if you have challenges with specific types of communication, such as not having e-mail access.
8. Follow-up if necessary. If a topic was discussed that requires follow-up, send a friendly note or e-mail to inquire about it.
9. Consider revisiting #5 to include treats. Enough said.
10. Arrive with an open mind. Walk through the door with an open mind and a positive attitude.
Forging an ongoing partnership is not only important to the apple of your eye, but also to teachers and parents. And finally, it’s all about perspective! Sitting in tiny Kindergarten chairs with other parents for Back-to-School Night, my child’s teacher quipped, “If you don’t believe half of what your child says goes on in school, then I won’t believe half of what they says goes on at home”! What are your suggestions for fostering partnerships with teachers?
*For the record, I might have cried at other parent-teacher conferences, too. I believe this lends credibility to this article.
For additional information on Parent-Teacher Conferences from the National Parent Teacher Association, click here.
For a tip sheet from the Harvard Family Resource Project, click here.
