Parent–teacher meetings are essential component of ongoing home–school communication and it is vital for both sides to actively participate in it. It is but natural for newly appointed teachers to get understandably nervous about their first meet with the parents. Even experienced teachers may feel it to be a daunting and exhausting task.
Some tips and preparations in advance can help you simplify the meeting process-
• To begin with, teachers must send home invitation for PTMs to parents and must ensure that they receive them. An additional exercise what teachers can do is send a brief questionnaire along with the invitation asking parents to pen down their concerns and questions about the child or school or any other specific area they want to talk about. It will make them prepared in advance for the big meeting and big questions.
• It is a cardinal rule. Teachers must always begin with something positive about the child in the meeting and then slowly move down to areas where their child needs to improve. Start with something positive and then talk about areas of improvement and then finish on positive note.
• Teachers must avoid being diplomatic rather they should be honest and truthful. Parents have right to get accurate information about their child but at the same time teacher must ensure not to use harsh phrases or comments for the child.
• Teachers must structure the entire session with parents. The agenda of the meeting must be highlighted at the meeting because that’s for what the meeting is arranged. Teachers must be prepared with work samples like homework or project assignments of the child.
• After highlighting the problems and key areas, teachers must offer a suggested course of action as well. This will help them to direct their children and they will appreciate your efforts. Teachers must also mention specific targets for improvement or changed behavior from last time.
• Teachers must also listen to what parents have to say. You'll get more out of a parent conference if you really listen to what parents are saying to you.
• Teachers must record important points of the meetings. These details might prove to be helpful later to brief parents in future.
• Meet again if required. If you feel, you need more time, arrange another meeting with parents. It is duty of teachers to satisfy each query of them and problem solving is equally important as it may be crucial for the child.
To become a extraordinary senior secondary school teacher join The Knowlege Tree Academy - Tranforming Education
