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Something that I have done in the past when it comes to parent-teacher conferences is provide parents with multiple time slots to meet. This included some afternoon times for those who work and couldn't meet during the day. I also make sure to start with a positive and say how much I have enjoyed getting to know their child and tell them something they do to be helpful in the classroom.

One thing I want to do differently is provide a little snack for the parents to take with them on their way out. I also liked the idea in the article about thanking them for taking the time to meet with me. I normally do that when talking with them during a phone conference, but never thought to do that after an in person conference.

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One thing that I have done in past that was successful is to share the student's goal/objective with the family and have data/samples showing their progress.   I like to share a positive sandwich (positive/growth, area of need, positive/growth).
This year, I would like to ask parents how they feel about their child's educational plan and how they are doing before sharing the data/samples.

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The most helpful thing that I have done in my classroom to help parent conferences go smoother is to have a packet for each of my students and have a separate tab open for each student with their data up. To start each conference I would give the parents a chance to say how they think the school year is going. This way it allows for me to have a discussion rather than me telling them about their students.

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I make sure that I have samples of their work, tests, etc to show parents. I also have their work displayed in the classroom. I make sure that the parents can talk first to share any input so that I can address those things first. I also make sure that I am not only sharing their academic success but their social successes. I want parents to know how much I enjoy their children and notice their kindness and effort.  Amy K.

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I make sure that I have samples of their work, tests, etc to show parents. I also have their work displayed in the classroom. I make sure that the parents can talk first to share any input so that I can address those things first. I also make sure that I am not only sharing their academic success but their social successes. I want parents to know how much I enjoy their children and notice their kindness and effort.  Amy K.

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During conferences, I like to give the parent a chance to speak first. I want the conference to be a conversation rather than me sharing information and the parents sitting and listening. I like to ask questions such as, "does that sound like X?" or "have you noticed the same improvements at home?" to encourage the parents to give input and it also opens the door for a natural way to suggest things that can be done at home to support learning and behavior.

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Something I have done last year that was successful was creating a list of points for each student. It allowed me to feel prepared and I was able to reflect on the information I want to present before the meeting. Something I will do differently is have resources on hand to give parents after the conference that help target the needs of their student.

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When I conducted conferences, I always created a warm environment. If the student was present, I allowed the student to participate in the conference by explaining the class expectations and giving the parents a tour of our class and show off their work. I always provided the best ways and time to contact me with an expected response time and sent a thank you email or note to show the parent that I appreciate their time.

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Prior to parent conferences I would always send a reminder note home a day before conferences as well as have everything I was sharing organized with little notes/talking points. I would also have a note taking sheet that would have categories such as strengths, needs, next steps etc. that parents would take home. I would always end with a positive comment, resources for parents to take home as well as any questions the parents had/what I can do going forward in their opinion to best help their child. After the conference I would send a thank you note. All of this was in order to continue building a partnership with the families and to make sure conference time was meaningful and specific! Although I am not a classroom teacher, if I were I think I would have my students write a thank you note to their parents as well so parents know just how important they are to their child and their success!

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I like to have grades and testing data organized so it can be a talking point.

I like to talk about why the class is thankful to have their child in the class.  ie. they are helpful, kind, they make us laugh. Something that lets the parent know I see their child.

I talk a lot about reading and always offer the opportunity for a parent to check a book out from my library that they can read with their child.

This year, since conferences have not been in person for so long, I am focusing on making my classroom feel like a welcoming space where the parents know we are partners in their child's education. I also will have a work sample for every child displayed.

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As soon as I get my class list, I send out postcards before school even starts. This starts a positive relationship from the beginning. I make sure to contact in some way each parent and introduce myself. I will send out a “get to know you” interest student survey to help connect and gain interest throughout the school year. This helps my parents to see even before parent conferences that I am here to help their child flourish. Before I start the conference, I ask the parent how they are doing, if the child talks about school, how does(students name) like school, if they see any concerns at home,etc. This can be an intimidating time for parents. Let them know you have a common goal and that you are on the same team. Something new I want to add to my parent conferences would be sending a card/note afterwards.

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The article shares some ideas for what you can do AFTER a parent teacher conference (emails, notes from students, etc). In the past, I have sent a HANDWRITTEN letter home to each parent, thanking them for taking the time to meet with me, show up and share, and be a part of a team to do what is best for their child. This took place in Title 1 schools, and honestly I didn't think it would make a difference, but I received a lot of positive feedback and gratitude. I even was able to get some parents to "buy in" to helping in the classroom. As an SDT, I am in a bit of a different role, but I want to help teachers with their conferences. Whether it be providing PD's, meeting one on one with teachers to help with the before/during/after, participating with teachers in conferences, or even setting up some mock conferences to practice. This article gives so many great suggestions to be able to do this at each stage. My goal is to help in whatever ways I can to make these conferences more effective, and maybe help provide some ways veteran teachers can make some changes to make better. Change is not easy.