{"id":2851,"date":"2015-10-12T09:01:15","date_gmt":"2015-10-12T16:01:15","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/ltsarizona.org\/phoenix-charter-school\/?p=2851"},"modified":"2015-10-12T09:01:15","modified_gmt":"2015-10-12T16:01:15","slug":"making-the-most-of-parent-teacher-conferences","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ltsarizona.org\/phoenix-charter-school\/making-the-most-of-parent-teacher-conferences\/","title":{"rendered":"Making the Most of Parent-Teacher Conferences"},"content":{"rendered":"

With fall, the first report cards and parent-teacher conferences of the academic year arrive. Liberty Traditional School, your Phoenix charter school, is no exception to this rule. Information on these one-on-one sessions with your child\u2019s teacher will be going home shortly, making this the perfect time to discuss how to ensure these meetings are successful and useful for all involved. Every year there is more research documenting the connections between academic achievement and parental involvement in schools. Liberty believes firmly that parent engagement in education is vital to the academic success of every student, and encourages parents to be active participants in their student\u2019s academic growth. We all\u2014parents, students, teachers, staff, and administration\u2014play important roles in the achievement of a shared goal: academic and character achievement.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Parent-teacher conferences offer a rare chance for a two-way conversation about a student between the people who spend the most time with him\/her\u2014the teacher and the parent or guardian. Make the most of this conversation. Below are a few suggestions to keep in mind when meeting with your student\u2019s teacher.<\/p>\n

Be Positive<\/strong><\/p>\n

    \n
  1. Teachers care! They want your child to succeed, to enjoy school, and to meet and, hopefully, exceed their potential.<\/li>\n
  2. Remember that teachers are professionals, and that treating them as such sets a positive example for your child.<\/li>\n
  3. A little kindness can go a long way. Try to be a good listener and consider what your child\u2019s teacher has to say.<\/li>\n
  4. Teachers follow schedules (just like the rest of us) and often their schedules do not have the same flexibility as those of other professionals. They\u2019ll work with your schedule as much as possible to arrange meetings that work for everyone.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    Be Prepared<\/strong><\/p>\n

    Teachers prepare for parent-teacher conferences, but even more can be gleaned from these meetings if parents do the same. There are several ways to plan ahead in order to get the most out of these conversations.<\/p>\n

      \n
    1. Talk to your child about what they are learning, what they like and do not like about school, and how they think they are doing in school.<\/li>\n
    2. Review your child\u2019s work from the quarter, including classwork, homework, tests, and other papers and projects. Keeping a file of your child\u2019s work can make this process easier.<\/li>\n
    3. Prepare a list of questions. Write them down!<\/li>\n
    4. Write down information about your child that you want to share with the teacher. Everyone can forget details from time to time but if you take a written list you are sure to remember and if time runs short you can give the list to the teacher, who might be able to address the information later via phone or email.<\/li>\n
    5. Think of ways to get involved in your child\u2019s education and discuss them with his or her teacher, who can give you feedback on what he\/she thinks will work best in your child\u2019s particular situation.<\/li>\n
    6. Speak to others about your child\u2019s strengths and weaknesses, be they instructors, family members, or other school staff. This can give a helpful outsider\u2019s perspective on your child.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

      Preparation is key\u2014for parents and teachers!<\/p>\n

      Be Patient<\/strong><\/p>\n

      Your child\u2019s teacher has a lot of students and parents to meet with. A little patience and understanding on both sides can make for an overall positive experience for all.<\/p>\n

        \n
      1. Arrive on time, or early to your meeting.<\/li>\n
      2. Stay calm and listen to what the teacher has to say. Ask questions to understand all sides of a situation.<\/li>\n
      3. Stay on track, but if the teacher mentions something you are not certain about, ask when it is brought up so you can both be on the same page.<\/li>\n
      4. Make sure to find out the communication protocol before you leave. What is the best method of communication for both of you: email, phone, or something else entirely?<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

        Most conferences are short, fifteen to thirty minutes. Try to make the most of the time you are allotted. This is where the preparation beforehand can come in handy, so you\u2019re not scrambling for what to ask or what you wanted to say or communicate to the teacher.<\/p>\n

        Finally: Follow Up<\/strong><\/p>\n

        What happens after the parent-teacher conference? Most articles on the subject offer a few consistent suggestions.<\/p>\n