Build a relationship with your child’s teacher.
By now, your child’s teacher has enough of a feel for each student that conferences become more frequent, or even mandated. Everyone comes into the room nervous, but there are some simple things to keep in mind to make the meeting as productive as possible for your child. And isn’t that the goal in the first place?
When to bring the student
Depending on the age of your child, you might not be able to avoid bringing them to the conference. However, from the teacher’s perspective, it’s best if you try to do so. That being said, certain conferences can benefit from the student’s attendance.
If the conference is about behavior problems, teachers actually prefer the student be there so they can make sure the student answers for the behavior in front of the parents, that nothing gets lost in the translation. Even the most disruptive student can be moved by a teacher/parent tag team.
However, if the problem is academic, try to leave the student somewhere else. Academic problems are embarrassing for the student to hear about at length.
Don’t get defensive
Teachers have neither the time nor the inclination to make up anything about their students. Trust that whatever is said in the conference is the truth and opinion of a trained education professional. Therefore there is no reason to be defensive. If something has gone amiss, it’s the problem of the student. You’re there to find a solution.
The blame game only escalates tensions and does nothing to help the student. In fact, if the result of the meeting is that the teacher and parents don’t understand each other, the child’s progress will be negatively affected.
Don’t leave without everyone having a plan of action
Just like a meeting you might have in your professional life, the goal of a parent/teacher conference is to figure out ways for everyone to move forward effectively and efficiently. That means everyone needs to know what they need to do moving forward.
It might be as simple as you agreeing to sign the student’s planner every night, or as complex as the teacher arranging some testing for a learning disability. Whatever the case, everyone needs to leave the room knowing what they will do to help the student be successful.
Build a relationship
Yes, this is a business meeting. Yes, everyone should try to be professional. But there’s nothing wrong with getting to know the person who spends at least an hour of their day or more with your child. Point out interesting decorations in the room. Discuss what each of you know about your child’s personal life (you’ll be amazed at what the teacher knows that you don’t). Treating each other like people can only help the relationship moving forward, which helps your child in the long run.