Just the phrase “parent-teacher conference” can make moms and dads
anxious. Yet, the experience can be a positive one for both you and your
student. Typically, parent teacher conferences happen either right
before or right after report cards. With grades in the picture, the
stakes are raised.
That means it’s worthwhile to make the most of the short time you
have to meet with you child’s teacher, and it’s also reasonable to
expect that the teacher is prepared to discuss your child in a
meaningful way.
Here, we take a look at what goes on behind the scenes with teachers
leading up to a conference, as well as tips on how to best prepare
yourself so you can get the most out of your meeting.
Teacher’s Preparation
For teachers, parent-teacher conferences are akin to business
meetings. Like any professional, teachers prepare and have goals for the
meeting in mind.
The vast array of education-related technology has made preparing for
parent-teacher meetings much easier from a teacher’s standpoint.
Teachers can mine data to find challenges and trends in classroom
performance to present to parents.
Preparation for Lori Bridda-Wakie involves getting parents to show
up. Bridda-Wakie is a high school history teacher with 13 years of
experience split between two Brooklyn high schools. Bridda-Wakie notes
that her classes are generally made up of students who are academically
challenged. The class culminates in the Regents, a New York state exam
which students are required to pass to earn a high school diploma.
“I call parents who I especially want to come in via the computer
scheduler,” she says. Bridda-Wakie also makes sure to have her grades
and attendance handy in order to answer any questions parents may have
or emphasize points she wants to make.
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