Student-led Conference

I just had my first official student-led parent/teacher conference! It went simmingly. The mother is invloved in her son's life, and that makes all the difference. We discussed all his classes, his strengths and weaknesses, and his goals for next year. Parent involvement is so important to the success of a struggling student. It was nice that I had called her a few weeks ago and we spoke on the phone for a bit about her son. She was comfortable speaking with me about her worries and her son's performance. The student was extremely nervous, which was adorable. I am guessing all conferences will not go as smoothly. It is great to start off on the right foot though!

I thought this was pretty funny, so I stole it from another blogger.

"TIPS TO SURVIVING PARENT/TEACHER CONFERENCES

1. Diet Coke

2. It's best not to laugh at the kids who you get in trouble while their parents are still sitting there.

3. Eat garlic before hand...parents tend not to linger.

4. When talking to parents avoid phrases like, "You look so familiar. Did I see you at the bar last weekend?" or "I'm not sure why your kid is failing. Maybe you should just stick him/her in special ed."

5. If a parent tells you that their child is too smart for your class--agree. Then send them directly to the principal to tell her how smart the kid is and demand that they be transferred out of your class and into honors English. Nobody likes those know-it-all kids anyway.

6. Be extra-nice to the parents whose kids are idiots...after all, they are stuck with them forever. You are only pulling a 45 minute shift a few times a week.

7. Never admit that you really have no recollection of ever seeing their child before.

8. On the day of P/T conferences make your kids feel sorry for you because you have to be there all day, and tell them to bring you stuff when they come with their parents.

9. NEVER eat anything homemade they bring you.

10. Make sure you've planned an easy teaching day for the day after because post parent/teacher conference hangover is a beast."