Parent/Teacher Conferences
Communicating with Parents, Students, Teaching
Curated By
Paige Menne
Paige Menne is a teacher from Pearland, Texas with a specialty in gifted and talented students. Paige graduated from Texas A&M University in 2018 with her Bachelor’s Degree in Interdisciplinary Studies and a teaching certification in EC-6 Elementary Education. Paige's contributions to EncourageX focus on the values of family, teaching careers, and overcoming social issues. In her spare time, Paige enjoys spending time with her family and friends and creating arts & crafts for her classroom.
Teachers Might Be Thinking:
- What is the best way to handle this situation?
- I need to make sure the parents understand what DRA, SMI, AR and BOTEL are.
- What are some positive things I can say about this student?
- How do I convey the best course of action for this student?
- How can I encourage testing for this student?
- How can I alleviate the parents' worries?
- How can I reassure these parents that their child is advanced?
- I hope this is not a waste of time.
- I hope the parents are open to my recommendations.
- How can I effectively convey our school's expectations?
- Is there anything that I can be doing for this student to make improvements?
- How can I increase parental involvement?
- What is this sudent's home life like?
- What are the parents doing to help their child learn?
- I hope the child benefits from this conference.
- I hope these parents understand that I am not attacking their child, nor do I dislike their child.
Words That Might Be Encouraging:
- You have your student's best interests in mind.
- Just stay positive and the parent will understand you are coming from a good place.
- You are being very supportive and just looking out for your student.
- The parent needs to know what is going on and that you are trying your best.
- The parent will hopefully be open to communicating more and helping you fix the problem.
- One thing you and the parent have in common is the best interests of the child.
- You are doing everything that you can to help this student.
- You have a great plan and course of action.
- Your parent/teacher conferences may be tough, but so are you, and I know you will have a great result.
- You are a FANTASTIC teacher. These parents are going to see that and will be so thankful that their children are in your class.
Words That Might Be Discouraging:
- Parents are just people. There isn't anything to be afraid of.
- They won't have a clue what you are talking about.
- The parent doesn't care, so why should you?
- These parents are never going to discipline their child.
- Parents these days don't know how to teach their kids. All they do is distract them with cell phones and technology.
- You are not going to make a difference with that child or parent.
- Oh, that is going to be a bad conference.
- I would hate to have that child/parent in my class.
- That sucks; good luck!
- I am so glad that student is not in my class; those parents are very difficult.
- That is going to be a lot of paperwork.
- I would hate to have to deliver that news.
- You aren't going to make any progress.
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