WGU Classroom Tip of the Month

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WGU Classroom Tip of the Month

• Octobers Topic
• Conducting Successful Parent-Teacher Conferences

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Conducting a Successful Parent-Teacher
Conference

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General Conferencing Pre-Conference Suggestions

• Dress professionally.
• Prepare your classroom for visitors.
• Provide adequate seating in the hallway for
  waiting parents.
• Post your conference schedule on your door or
  outside your room, so parents know you have other
  appointments. Do your very best to stay on time.

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General Conferencing Pre-Conference
Suggestions (cont.)

• Arrange comfortable seating at a table or in
  student desks. Refrain from sitting at your desk,
  as some parents might find this intimidating.
• Set up a play area (crayons, markers, paper) for
  parents who may unexpectedly bring small children
  with them.

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General Conferencing Pre-Conference
Suggestions (cont.)

• Look over your scheduled conferences and
  recognize those that might benefit from an
  interpreter. Arrange for language services via
  your school administration or another staff
  member who can provide translation services.
  Providing this extra assistance allows the parent
  to fully interact in the conference.

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General Conferencing Pre-Conference
Suggestions (cont.)

• Be prepared with the following
• A) Student grade and attendance documentation.
• B) Student work samples.
• C) A copy of your curriculum, textbook, syllabus
  and class goals.
• D) A handout to go home with homework
  tips/suggestions and your contact information
  (email and voice mail). Do not give out your
  internal telephone extension unless you want your
  phone ringing in the middle of class.
• E) A small refreshment or breath mint for
  parents who get nervous when having a one-on-one
  discussion with teachers.
• F) A good attitude! Parents want to feel like
  their child is accepted by you and that they are
  going to learn from you. Bringing a positive
  attitude to the table will help relax both of
  you!

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General ConferencingDuring the conference

• Welcome each parent with a handshake. Introduce
  yourself and make sure you get their name. Some
  parents may not have the same last name as the
  student.
• Make eye contact and display positive body
  language. (Smile, nod your head, make sure they
  are comfortable, etc.).
• Encourage small children to use the play area so
  the parents can focus during the conference.

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General ConferencingDuring the conference
(cont.)

• Start the conference with something positive
  about the student. Transition slowly into the
  areas that need work and offer suggestions for
  the student and parent to help reach these goals.
• If the student is present, involve him in the
  conference. Ask the student questions about the
  class and allow him to show his parents his work.
  
• .

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General ConferencingDuring the conference
(cont.)

• Avoid using education talk. Parents dont know
  educational acronyms or expressions, so try to
  use everyday language when speaking with them.
• Take notes during the conference so you dont
  forget important details you later will want to
  document. Also, make sure you get an email
  address or valid phone number before the parent
  leaves.

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General ConferencingPost Conference

• If a conference finishes early, dont rush to get
  the next conference started. Utilize the extra
  time to organize your notes, write down important
  family information you learned about the student
  or take time to use the restroom.
• Take the time to input parent emails into your
  contacts to make future communication easy.

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General ConferencingPost Conference (cont.)

• Create a communication log for yourself and log
  all of the conferences you held. Include the
  date, time, reason for the conference and with
  whom you spoke.
• Attempt to contact parents who missed their
  appointment time or who didnt schedule a
  conference. Document this on your communication
  log, even if you dont reach anyone when you
  call/email.

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Conflict- Resolution ConferencingPre-Conference

• Try to avoid getting to this situation by
  communicating with parents early on in the school
  year.
• Prepare appropriate documentation to support your
  concerns. Provide evidence of missing homework,
  class misbehaviors, skipping class, etc.
• Invite a guidance counselor or administrator to
  attend as a third party observer.

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Conflict- Resolution ConferencingDuring the
Conference

• Stay focused on the issues. Do not become
  emotional, nor defensive. Remain calm.
• Let the parent explain why they are angry and
  listen intently. Explain to the parent that you
  understand their concerns and offer some concrete
  suggestions on how to remedy the situation.
• If the student is present, involve her in the
  solution. Ask her what she is going to do to
  help herself improve. Doing this in front of the
  parent helps make her accountable for her actions.

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Conflict- Resolution ConferencingPost Conference

• Provide extra support to the student in class so
  he/she knows you are sincere in your efforts to
  help.
• Follow up with the parent within two weeks via
  email or phone, so they know what is going on.
  Dont let too much time lapse between
  communications.
• Document all your actions and efforts with the
  student to demonstrate your continued efforts.

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Contact us

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  so, please post your comments on our WGU Teacher
  Blog on our alumni website www.alumni.wgu.edu
• Do you have an idea for an upcoming presentation?
  Is there a topic youd like more information on?
  Email me mryan1_at_wgu.edu to make your
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