Ask the Expert: What to Expect at an Elementary Parent-Teacher Conference

My sister Bridget is not only an awesome sister, she's a wonderful teacher. For those readers who will be attending their first parent-teacher conference this month, I asked Bridget to type up some advice. Because I'm her older sister, she had to do what I asked. -- Tara

Parent-Teacher Conferences can be scary for parents and teachers. As a first grade teacher for five years, and a kindergarten teacher for five years before that, I can honestly say that I am nervous every year meeting with my students’ parents. What I never took into consideration before I had my own children was that the parent on the other side of the table was just as nervous as I was! 

Photo by istockphoto.Before conferences, think if you have any specific concerns that need to be addressed. Some subjects that you might want to bring up are:  Homework, social skills and what you can do at home to support the learning that is taking place at school. The teacher will most likely appreciate your concern and the fact that you care! 

Keep in mind during the conference that school isn’t the same as it was when we went to elementary school.  Personally, I went to half-day kindergarten with a snack and rest time. Now, most children in my area go to a full day of kindergarten with no rest time. They leave kindergarten reading books. First grade is what second grade used to be and so on. The curriculum at most schools is quite aggressive and fast paced. Keep this in mind or you will get overwhelmed! 

Subjects that I address at conferences are whether or not a student is at, below, or above grade level in reading and math; behavior; speech or language concerns; and whether or not they are getting along with other classmates. If a child is below grade level in any subject, I discuss interventions that may be used in the classroom to help the students reach their potential. If a student is above grade level, I discuss ways that I will differentiate instruction to challenge the student. I also like to show work samples to parents so that they can see how much progress the children have made since the beginning of the year. 

Sometimes teachers use educational vocabulary that you may not understand. We also present graphs to show reading progress or lack thereof. Do not be afraid to ask what the vocabulary means and how to read the graphs. If your child is doing well, ask to see what you can do at home to keep them motivated. If your child is struggling in a particular area, ask what you can do to help.  Keep in mind that cooperation between you and your child’s teacher is the key to your child’s success. 

After you leave the conference, remember to keep in contact with your child’s teacher throughout the year. I have found in the last few years that email is an easy and efficient way to keep in constant communication with parents. Always remember that you are your child’s best advocate! 

Bridget Armstrong lives with her husband and two young children in central Illinois, where she is a first grade teacher at a public school. As a child she was an anxious student and worried about going to school nearly every day, but now she loves heading into the classroom each morning.