Joann Lira recently sat down with the National Hispanic Christian Leadership Conference’s chief operating officer Gus Reyes to discuss what every parent should know about parent/teacher conferences. Lira has taught in public schools and now serves as a children’s ministry leader in the Bronx, New York. She is committed to helping adults equip their students for academic success.
Why are parent-teacher conferences so important?
Parent/teacher conferences are an invaluable time for both parents and teachers. Parents are given scheduled and uninterrupted face time with teachers to discuss their child’s strengths and weaknesses. Teachers are able to give specific, focused action steps that will engage parents in their child’s education.
Communication is key. Developing a partnership with your child’s teacher is beneficial for all who are involved. Teachers are dedicated and passionate about seeing your child succeed. Parent support is the best way to show appreciation. Students are very aware of communication between teachers and parents and a positive relationship between the two is encouraging to them.
How can a parent prepare for the conference?
It is important for parents to be prepared for teacher conferences.
Locate your child’s state assessment results. If needed, your child’s school is able to provide a copy. Review the results and take them to the conference. Parents are a student’s number one advocate. Do not be afraid to ask questions and seek clarification.
Create a binder or notebook with the following tabs. This will allow parents/guardians to keep important information as well as an easy way to communicate what has been discussed at conferences.
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Conference notes
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Questions/Concerns for Teacher
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Student Progress Reports/Report Cards
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State Assessment Results
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Calendar
What did you like most about Parent-Teacher Conferences?
Teachers begin the day early and often work late. While there is always an ongoing effort throughout the year to connect with families, parent/teacher conferences are valued and appreciated by teachers. I worked hard to prepare individual feedback for each family on the specific needs of their student. As a teacher, I felt valued when parents carved out time from their busy day to sit down and discuss how their student was doing and how they could support both their child and myself as an educator.
E-mails, phone calls, and text messages are a quick and easy way to communicate, however conferences provided a time to truly develop a relationship and discover ways parents can be involved that may not have surfaced otherwise. Just as we find strengths in students, we seek them in parents as well. Conferences provide a time for teachers to identify those strengths and encourage parents on how they can put them to work to benefit their child’s education.
What are important questions that a parent should ask during the Parent-Teacher Conference?
Teachers spend a lot of time with students, but very little one on one time. Share the strengths and interests you have seen in your child. Let teachers know if there are struggles past teachers have shared and any techniques they have found that work best with your student. Here are some key questions that parents should ask during the conference:
- Is my child on grade level?
- Ask about individual subjects
- How can I help support/challenge my student?
- What websites, apps, books do you recommend for my student?
- How is my child developing socially and emotionally?
- Students are very much affected by their social interactions with students and emotional development. Parents can help by staying informed and encouraging healthy relationships.
- When can we meet again?
Show your child’s teacher you are invested. Schedule a follow up meeting. Provide all current contact information. Secure that you have the best way and time to contact your child’s teacher.
What should parents expect from a Parent-Teacher Conference?
Things a parent should expect include the following:
Parents can expect to get right to the point at conferences. These are often scheduled back to back and all within a couple of days. Knowing this, it is crucial for parents to be early and prepared for conferences.
Be ready to receive and implement actions steps immediately. If a teacher shares advice, try them and contact them within the week to let them know how it is going and to see if they have seen an impact at school. This will be encouraging to you, your child, and your child’s teacher.
Anything else you’d like to share with parents?
Parent/teacher conferences can prove to be fruitful in many ways. In addition to providing tools and resources for you as a parent, it is a key time to encourage and minister to your child’s teacher. Remember that teachers need grace. Show them they are appreciated. A handwritten note, a small token, or a sincere thank you can go a long way.
Gus Reyes serves as the Chief Operating Officer for the National Hispanic Christian Leadership Conference.
