The Parent Teacher Conference

Summer is drawing to an end; it's time to think about pencils, books and those teacher's dirty looks. The kids might not be thrilled, but many parents are doing a happy dance. As wonderful as summer is, right about now kids are getting bored and cranky, and parents are ready for somebody else to come up with the fun-filled, action-packed daily schedule. 

Enter the teacher. 

Although it would be nice to turn over the reigns completely, your child's education is really a partnership. Together parents and teachers play an important and vital role in a student's development and success. And, as with any relationship, it's critical to establish an effective communication strategy in order to be successful.

Typically, the teacher establishes contact with parents before the school year begins with forms to be filled out, open houses, and orientations to attend. Take advantage of every opportunity to visit the classroom and interact with your child's teacher because clear communication at the start can alleviate issues in the future. Be sure to ask the teacher what method of communication works best - email, written communication, phone, text, or face-to-face. These days many schools have websites and online newsletters because teachers understand that communication is an essential ingredient in parent involvement. 

The parent teacher conference may be the first time that you actually have a chance to sit down with your child's teachers. As with any meeting, you'll find that people are more at ease if you establish a friendly rapport. A conference shouldn't be a confrontation. Be attentive, make eye contact, and keep your body language open. Dressing professionally will garner more respect. 

Both the parents and the teacher should be well-prepared, organized, polite and courteous. As a parent, being prepared means understanding your child's strengths and weaknesses, but being open to the teacher's perspective and insight. Remember, teachers often see your child in a different light than you do. A conference is an information exchange - pooling your information gives both the parents and the teacher a better understanding of the child's academic and social skills. When parents and teachers communicate well and communicate often, everybody wins - especially the child.

At Ty Boyd, Inc. our courses and coaching sessions are personal development experiences and can be applied to everyday communication. Start this school year off on the right foot, give us a call.