blah blah blah……….test results……..curriculum……. state standards………LAME!

#1: I find it ODD that you are a 3rd year teacher and have yet to do conferences by yourself…..are you in primary school or something? I have NEVER had to have anyone hold my hand……

#2: YOU are a TEACHER! It is YOUR room! Do you know what you are doing or dont you? Have some self confidence!

#3: The vast majority of parents only want to know 2 things, so that’s all I tell them…..they want to know how their kid behaves and how he is doing academically. OWN the conference….make the conference your b****! You are in charge!
Is Billy a screw up or not? Tell them how their student behaves……you can milk this for 5 minutes…….
Next, Billy is an awesome student. Get out the gradebook or hand them a printout of the grades……perhaps Billy needs to spend more time working than talking?

I really dont know why a 3rd year teacher is having a nervous breakdown…….over conferences.

If you are NOT differentiating instruction now, its too late to start doing it just so you can sound good with the parents.

I give the same speech to every parent and have NEVER had a problem. In fact, I OWN the conferences so well, that I dont leave room to get grilled. I get so bored with it sometimes that I start trying out different accents and personalities……..just to break up the monotony.

Parent: “How are you challening Billy?”

You: “Well, first off, just coming to class and paying attention is a challenge all in itself. With all the distractions students have today, it is very easy for them to be checked out before they even step into class. So, I commend him for that. You should be very proud. As for his academics, Billy is doing great with the curriculum offered. He does not appear intimidated or bored with it. He completes his work on time and always does his work thouroughly and concientiously. At this juncture, I dont really see a need to challenge him further. I would offer him the opportunity to take advantage of some extra work or more advanced work if you like…….but I’m not sure how readily he would take to it.”

There you go…………..be confident……show that you care…….but most important, make it clear, however you can, that you know what you are doing, you have the kid’s best interest in mind, and you are large and in charge…..most parents will be reassured to the point of forgetting about asking you a bunch of questions you dont want to answer anyway…….

Give the parent a specific example of an activity that you do with the pupils. It does not have to be specific to THAT child.
Keep it simple, keep it brief, comment on specific things that the child does to explain his development and remember, the parents are more nervous than you are.
It also helps to have a sample of the child’s work out so that the parents have something, anything to look at and hold.
Good luck!

Okay, it isn’t fun but they are nervous too. Tell them all the good things you can think of for 10 minutes. Tell them all the good things you are doing and then gently make a suggestion about a strategy they can do at home to help theri kid become even more wonderful. I am not kidding. Why put your self through that grief. Some things for them to do are: read, read , read every single day with theri kid. I hope you are doign elementary. Probably because if you are at HS you’d have group conferences and some one to lean on. Tell them to practice writing thank you notes, grocery lists, pen pals, writing stories, etc. Tell them to prctive maht facts and spelling at home . There are lots of on line site where they can go . Try to have afew written down for them to tak with them Also try to have proof of whta you are sayign if there is a real problem. Like failed test, etc If there is a behavior problem document every word that comnes out of that kids mouth. it doesn’t tak elong to do and it helps. If you are really worried about a set ot two of parents, get some one to sit in on it with you, guidance counselor, team mate, even principal. The parents are curious abotu how their kid is doign and love to hear good things. Smile alot and good luck. Sorry about spelling cause I hurried.

Do not tell them you are reviewing… if you are reviewing in November you have a huge set of issues that I won’t even begin to go into here.

Explain to the parents what you ARE doing. Be sure to have your course of study, previous years’ test results and national objectives on hand. Be able to relate how your lessons are preparing their child for advancement to the next grade as well as making him/her a critical thinker. Have examples of work samples of their child ready to show their child’s best, and possibly worst, work.

Most of all keep a posititve attitude. You are on the same side and I am sure you are so grateful to have a concerned parent that is willing to meet with you. Good luck!

I would explain to them that you are reviewing all aspects of last year since children that young seem to forget some things they learn over the summer break, and that you will be starting new things soon.