Congrats to everyone for making it through their first round of conferences this year!! Any positives anyone took away?
I couldnt believe what a difference I saw this year in how many parents showed up and how involved they are!!
Even though I had a few conferences in which I wanted to lean over the table and say, are you serious? I had to remind myself that as tough as it can be to take the brunt of it all, these parents only want the best for their child and they want to them to feel successful. I just have to take a deep breath and remind myself that I know how hard I am working to help each student reach their highest potential and feel successful in school.
Nice bike Gina!
ReplyDeleteOh course, you know how my conferences went, but I think the most valuable thing I take away from them is that many parents care. I tend to focus on the kids that lack parental support and so it's very refreshing to remember that it takes a village to raise a kid.
I also find it very valuable for students to evaluate how well they are doing in participation, turning in assignments on time, and bringing their materials. That way, if they are present at conferences, they do more of the talking and then their parents realize the struggles they are having. It really makes them more accountable for their behavior at school and home.
Awesome, Gina. I think conferences are a great way to connect with parents in a positive way. It is too easy to assume that some parents don't care just by how a student behaves in class--but you are right, many do even if the student is having problems.
ReplyDeleteI think it is good to show parents what it is I am working on in class so they get the idea of what the curriculum is about, not just how the student is doing. In that way, I can show my enthusiasm for the subject and also get buy in--they know more about what to ask their student about.
It is inevitable, though, that behavior issues will be discussed, but if it is done in a positive way, like you suggest, then it is a win-win situation: the parent is not overwhelmed, but they have a better idea of what is going on, and we have given them tools to help their child.
Thanks for the positive post, Gina!
I would say that overall conferences went well for me. I always enjoy meeting parents and seeing that they want their children to be as successful as I want them to be.
ReplyDeleteWe are headed into scheduled conferences (intervention conferences) tonight and I hope that they produce some substantial change. My only concern with conferences is that they don't always make a meaningful change in student behavior or work. My talkative students are still chatty; my disrespectful students are still causing problems in class. I hope that with these conferences being longer and more focused on improvement that they will create actual change in the students.
I have to agree!
ReplyDeleteI'm an EBD teacher and last spring I didn't have one parent show up. A very long two nights let me tell ya. So, leading up to conferences this year I wasn't to thrilled about, I just wanted to make sure I had a lot of paper work to keep me busy.
This year, however, was different. I had quite a few parents, even parents that didn't come last year. They may positive things about our school.
I had a great turn out at conferences this year. Which is exhausting, but awesome. I agree with Gina, it is important to remember that 99% of parents want what's best for their child. I always try to remember (when I am feeling frustrated) that all of our parents had a dream when their students were born for them to be successful and happy people. I can imagine that for many parents it is difficult when students are struggling year after year in school.
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