How Do You Hold A Parent-Teacher Conference?
As a classroom teacher, I have held over 200 parent-teacher conferences–and no two are ever the same. My approach and preparation for a conference are always the same. A teacher can and should do certain things to put the parents at ease while at the same time remaining professional. Here are steps for a successful and productive conference. Start the conference on time. This usually means ending the previous conference on time as the conferences are scheduled back to back. Getting off schedule early in the day can throw off the schedule for the rest of the day. Give the parents a warning before the conference if you think you are going to tell them something that might really shock them. I will send a note home the previous week and give them an idea of the child’s progress or lack of. Start with the positive. Most teachers know to always start a conference on a positive note no matter where the conference is heading. A teacher should be able to find something positive to say about a
