There’s more to parent teacher interviews than a nice meet and greet. It’s an opportunity to foster the education of kids in your class or put up a barrier which hinders teamwork between teachers and parents.
I have vivid memories of my first parent teacher interviews. Back to back appointments ten minutes each from 3:30pm right through to 10:00pm. By the end my head was swimming and I felt completely overwhelmed. Now this week as parent teacher interviews are in full force across the state, I know of other new teachers who feel just as ill equipped and inundated by the whole experience. So I’ve put together eight tips that might help you prepare for parent teacher interviews.
1. Confidence is key: Welcome parents in with confidence and enthusiasm, walk straight over and offer a firm handshake with a smile. Have your first sentence planned out so that you come across as thought through and prepared; “Welcome Mr and Mrs Thompson, I’m so pleased to meet you. Lucy has made a fantastic start to the year.”
2. Make clear notes: In the midst of a discussion it’s helpful to have clear and concrete notes to draw on. Use dot points with discernable facts such as reading levels, spelling results, number of smiley faces on the board, number of warnings issued in a week. Also make clear notes as you talk so you have a record for what needs to be followed up after the interview.
3. Identify strengths and weaknesses: I’d suggest you focus on three key areas in your interviews; Character, Maths and English. For each of these three areas have some clear strengths to lead with first. Then discuss areas that of improvement.
4. Resources ready: Parents often ask for additional work to support their child or suggestions of books they could borrow from the library. Have handy a times table and spelling booklet for weaker students, a list of books appropriate for their age and a list of apps that could support learning. My recommended K-4 Apps and 3-6 Apps are a good place to start.
5. Work samples ready: Always have work samples ready to aid your discussion. It can also be helpful to have a work book on hand. Parents aren’t trained teachers so it’s helpful to have a concrete example to explain skills their child has mastered or needs further work.
6. Be prepared for conflict: Inevitably there will be one parent that will have an issue that they want to raise. It is critical to remain calm and assertive in these situations. Firstly exercise reflective listening, for example “Am I correct in saying that you feel Penny is finding Maths overwhelming?”. You must assure the parent that you’ve heard their concern. In a short interview time slot you cannot solve the problem then and there. So instead suggest points of action and a second meeting, for example “I’d really like to observe Penny in Maths this week, then meet again to discuss a way forward”. This gives you time to prepare and plan what you will say and not be bombarded in the moment.
7. Refer on when necessary: If a parent is unhappy due to a whole school matter, this is not your burden. Homework policies, extension programs, reading recovery, extra curricular all fall in to this category. Again exercise reflective listening then redirect to the deputy or head. For example “So can I clarify, you’re worried that music lessons are compromising other subjects being taught? That is a whole school policy but it would be great if you could speak to Mr Jones because it’s an issue that needs to be resolved”. Defer the problem on, it’s not your responsibility.
8. Foster partnership: I firmly believe that educating children is a partnership between parents and teachers. Parents have known their child since they were born and have years of wisdom they can pass on. In ten minutes they can tell you what it might take you six months to discover. But in the reverse, children rarely give an in depth account of how school is going so you have valuable information to share with parents also.
