Teacher+Tips


 * =**Parent-Teacher Conference Tips**=

Parent-Teacher Conferences provide parents and their child with an opportunity to formally meet with each teacher for up to 5 minutes to discuss their child’s progress and performance in each subject.

Conference Preparation Tips:

 * Have an agenda for your discussion. Consider using a planning sheet.
 * Collect and prepare evidence of learning. E.g. student work, instructional resources, assessment tasks, etc.
 * Be sure to develop questions and/or strategies to include the student (if present) in the conversation.
 * Create a comfortable seating arrangement to facilitate eye contact.

Conference Tips:
> Promote a comfortable, positive atmosphere. > to focus on growth.
 * Smile and welcome the parents and child and thank them for coming. Introductions may be necessary if you have not yet met.
 * Focus on the child.
 * Start by saying something complimentary.
 * Invite the parents to share pertinent information about their child. Ask what the child likes/finds difficult about school. Be a good listener.
 * Avoid educational "speak" that you would use with other professionals in education.
 * Discuss student progress towards the grade level subject-specific expectations - balance the strengths and needs of the child. Try
 * Show evidence.
 * If you have concerns about the student’s progress and/or performance, express them and try to facilitate an agreement with parents about how to address your concerns.
 * Provide opportunities for parents to ask questions, to express concerns, and to share ideas and/or suggestions.
 * __Record main discussion points, information shared, suggested strategies, actions to take etc.__
 * At the conclusion of the conference briefly summarize the main discussion points, strategies, actions to take, etc. Ask parents if they have any further comments. Thank them for coming.
 * **Do your best to keep to the maximum 5 minute meeting time. If a conference is running longer and you have not had an opportunity to develop agreements with the parents on how to support their son/daughter, then please schedule follow-up meeting at another time.**

**Good luck!**
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