Transcript Conference Week Tips

Conference Week
Q&A
Rebecca Radicchi,
Area 5 Lead Teacher
On an index card, please respond
to one of the following.
Why are parent
conferences
important?
Write a metaphor
about conferences.
i.e. Conferences are
like…
Write a few
Write a question
sentences about that a parent may
how you feel about
ask you at a
conferences.
conference.
Why should I relax about
conference week?
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Conference week passes quickly.
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Face to face meetings with parents help
alleviate the unknowns, and are often very
reaffirming.

This is a chance to
show parents how
much you care about
their kids.

This is a time to
develop powerful
parent-teacher
partnerships.
What should I do to prepare?

Create an agenda for each
conference.
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Organize student portfolios with a
few representative work samples.

Have copies of student assessments
for parents.

Complete report cards.

Be ready with several positive
comments to share about their child.
How can I welcome parents
before they even enter my room?

Display student work
(Grand displays aren’t necessary though!)

Post your conference schedule.

Place a few chairs in the hallway for waiting
parents.

Pull a desk into the hallway, and top it with
a basket of student work (class books,
etc.).

Show parents that their time is valued.
Post a sign stating, “Please knock at your
scheduled time.”
How can I make my
classroom welcoming?

Have a table ready for conferences
that is clutter free.

Have soft music playing.

Display student work.

Make sure parents
have adult size
chairs to sit in.
What can I do to make
parents feel valued?
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Greet parents at the door.
Tell them you value their partnership.
Smile
Make eye contact
Share positive comments/stories that
demonstrate that you care about
their child.
Be personal. (Ask about their day, job, etc.)
Walk parents to the door.
What should I do during the
conference?
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Start with positive,
personal comments
about the child.
Share student work.
Share assessment results in common
language.
Share report card.
Ask for parent observations.
Set/share goals.
Take notes.
Give examples of ways to help at home.
End with a positive comment.
What should I do if I have
concerns about a student?

Start and end with a student’s strengths.

Have examples of student work (possibly also
examples of another student’s on grade level work,
with names removed, for comparison).

Share what YOU are doing, what you have tried,
and what your goals are.

Ask for their observations & perceptions.

Ask for the parent(s) to partner with you in helping
your child achieve their goals. Provide examples of
simple ways they can help at home.

Take notes about how you’ll follow-up.
What if I am concerned that the
conference will be adversarial?

Send a friendly email/note home stating that you look
forward to developing a partnership with the parent.

Tell the parent that you really want to develop a positive
relationship, and that miscommunications may have
occurred.

Don’t be afraid to say, “We both CARE
about your child, let’s start over.”

Constantly restate how much you CARE about their child.

Invite an administrator to attend.

Balance concerns with strengths.

Give lots of examples of what YOU
are doing, have tried, and hope to try.
What if the parent and I just
can’t agree?

Remember that although positive relationships with
parents are ideal, your goal is student achievement.

Do whatever it takes to have parents stay involved,
even if that includes letting go of pride or the need
to be “right”.

Invite the parent into class.

We can’t teach our parents to be responsible, so
just do whatever it takes to get what you need from
them.

Remember that EVERY person has a story.
(Are they working two jobs? Going through a
divorce?) Getting angry doesn’t move you ahead.
What do I do after the
conference?

Thank parents with a personal
or group note.

Follow-up on any areas that you
discussed with parents.
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Celebrate!!!!!!
Whose Child Is This?
"Whose child is this?" I asked one day
Seeing a little one out at play.
"Mine", said the parent with a tender smile
"Mine to keep a little while.
To bathe his/her hands and comb his/her hair,
To tell him/her what he/she is to wear,
To prepare him/her that he/she may always be good,
And each day do the things he/she should".
"Whose child is this?" I asked again,
As the door opened and someone came in.
"Mine", said the teacher with the same tender smile.
"Mine, to keep just for a little while.
To teach him/her how to be gentle and kind,
To train and direct his/her dear little mind,
To help him/her live by every rule,
And get the best he/she can from school".
"Whose child is this?" I asked once more,
Just as the little one entered the door.
"Ours", said the parent and the teacher as they smiled.
And each took the hand of the little child.
"Ours to love and train together.
Ours this blessed task forever."