Parent Teacher Meetings

Parent-teacher meetings are quickly approaching; ours will not be conducted until January. However, I know a lot of stressed teachers who are currently concerned about the idea of Parent-teacher meetings.

Parent-teacher meetings, in my opinion, are frequently highly informative and can help you better understand some of the children you'll be working with this year. They can also be an anxious time for teachers because they require a significant amount of preparation.

• Scheduling

Each school has a system for scheduling parent teacher meetings. In our school, we have time slots on Aladdin opened up for parents to choose. Make sure you know the scheduling process in your school as they approach.Allow yourself 10-15 minutes after school to ensure that you are ready, have had a chance to take a drink/go to the restroom, and have had a chance to set up the room/space.

• Special Education Teacher

As the special education teachers will want to meet with parents as well, it is critical to try to coordinate the time so that parents do not have to wait too long between meetings. Meet with the parents and the special education teacher if necessary.

• Student Samples

It's a good idea to have some of the child's work ready for the parents to glance over quickly. This allows them to see what their child is learning in class.

Work samples can also be useful for illustrating a point or providing an example.

• Notes

Prepare some brief notes on each child that cover the following topics: friendships, attitude towards learning (motivation), literacy, numeracy, homework subject areas where the child has a special talent/ability, and any areas where the child may require assistance.

As your time with each parent is limited, taking notes might help you stay focused.

It's also a good idea to take notes during the discussion, especially if a parent has any issues or if you need to follow up with a parent.

• The Meeting

I always start by saying, "Thank you for coming today!" How do you think _____ has adjusted to sixth class? or Do you have any questions for me? Some parents will have a lot to say, while others will say nothing.

Discuss the key points you've written down. Try to provide examples to back up your claims.

Be honest and kind; if a child is struggling, their parents must be informed. Make sure you have some suggestions on how the parents may best support their child at home and how they may be able to assist the child.

• To Note:

-Provide two 'adult' seats for your parents, as well as chairs outside the room for parents who arrive early.

-Dress professionally because this may be the first time many parents meet you, especially in older classes. I always feel more confident when I'm 'dressed up'.

-Make sure you drink a cup of tea or water. If you have a long series of meetings, break it up by taking a 5-10 minute break to have a cup of tea!

-You'll feel better if you smile.

Download my Parent Teacher Meeting template below to help you be prepared!

Parent Teacher Meetings .pdf

Download PDF • 56KB