Do you dread parent-teacher conferences?

The long hours and weeks of extra work. The time away from your family. The missed conferences, the late arrivals, the ones who never come, the hard topics, the gut wrenching stories, the tears, the frustration. Yet through it all life continues, student’s must be taught, goals reached, lesson plans created and executed, dinner made for your family, soccer games, gymnastics, ballet, and somewhere in there you might get to sleep.

Conferences require much from parents and teachers a like. Despite all the craziness that erupts during this period of time it is one of my favorite times of the year.

You enjoy conferences?! I do! I truly do!

First of all I get a kick out of bragging on my students. I enjoy telling parents about all the wonderful, funny and heartwarming things their children do at school. Like the young lady who shared the deceased butterfly she found on the playground. Without a pause or hesitation she passed it off to each child who asked to see it up close. Or the young man who issues sincere compliments to all, brightening their days. And the child who came to school unable to write their name who now write’s it perfectly and with such pride. These stories give parents a glimpse into their child’s daily school life. It brightens their hearts and calms those last lingering fears.

Secondly, I love chatting with parents on a personal level. Simply having a stress free moment to chat person to person is all part of creating a strong bond between school and home. It’s so very important. So important that words cannot adequately describe it’s truest value. Far too often these days teachers don’t have time to take the extra moments needed to solidify their relationships with their parents. Increased class sizes and fifteen minute conference times no longer allow teachers and parents enough time to engage beyond your child’s okay or your child is failing.

Lastly, if you have spent the previous months working to build a parent/teacher relationship and you take time with you parents at conference, you will learn more about each child in your class than you thought possible. The struggles parents are going through are real, heartbreaking and altering to the students living them. This knowledge gives us better direction when dealing with behavior issues, changes in learning pace and even regressions. And sometimes it allows the parents an avenue to share their struggles and unburden their hearts. If I can be a safe place for my parents to get a little support I’m happy to help, for in doing so my students benefit.
Next time parent-teacher conferences come across your calendar ready your heart and mind to approach it a little differently. The effects it will have not only on you and your parents but more specifically on your students is well worth the extra effort.