MAXIMIZING Parent-Teacher Conferences
BY AMANDA CIANI
S tudents spend 30–35 hours a week at school. They are challenged and they grow, both academically and socially, too. The drastic changes that happen in one short school year can be seen in those adorable first day of school photos compared to the “Wow, look how much they’ve grown up” last day of school photos that parents take! And teachers are firsthand witnesses to all of it. Having an opportunity to chat with your student’s teacher is like taking a peek into your child’s school life. Get ready for that window into their world; with a little bit of preparation, you can make the absolute most of a parent-teacher conference. STAY IN THE KNOW Plan for success from day one. Hold onto those first-day-of-school syllabi and refer back to them as needed. This detailed outline of the year can help students stay on course while clearly laying out
LISTEN Really listen. Attempt to actively hear what is being said. This is easy to do when positives are being highlighted. Who doesn’t love a brag session on their child? If constructive criticism is being given, avoid going on the defense and coming up with excuses, or going on the offense and placing blame. Gather information and ask clarifying follow-up questions to confirm understanding. Teachers truly want their students to succeed and having an open conversation will allow for better collaboration between the teacher, the student, and their guardians. TALK Sometimes in life, what is going on at home can have an affect on how a student is behaving socially or performing academically at school. If there have been any major life changes that may be a catalyst for a behavior shift, take the time
expectations for coursework, grading and more. In regards to grading, many classrooms have up-to-date digital gradebooks which students, and their parents, can utilize to stay informed. Families can be mindful of their students’ absences and missing assignments, which could negatively impact a student’s grade. Of course praise can, and should, be given for good grades, but seeing a not-so-great grade is an opportunity to investigate what studying practices might work better the next time around. Already knowing how your student is doing in class takes away the element of surprise when it comes to the parent- teacher conference. It is true— knowledge is power. Having an idea of your student’s academic performance will allow you to sit back and listen to what the teacher has to say. Which brings us to the next point…
18 COLORADO PARENT MARCH 2025
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