4 fairly typical parent –teacher conference scenarios

¡On the next slide there are 4 fairly typical parent –teacher conference scenarios.

• Read and develop a plan for how you would handle each scenario.
• Choose one scenario and post to discussion board:
• Please develop one discussion question for others to think about and respond to about the case you choose.

Group 1: The eager parent

Group 2: The reluctant parent

Group 3: The first-year teacher

Group 4: The teacher as bearer of unexpected news

¡Group 1: The eager parent

¡Ms. Johnson is a Kindergarten teacher meeting with Cassidy’s mother during the beginning of the year parent-teacher conference.  Ms. Johnson has collected baseline data on Cassidy’s math and reading skills and is planning on sharing that information as well as her long term plans for the year.  However, Cassidy’s mom, Kate, takes over the conference from the start; intent on talking about what an amazing child Cassidy is. How can Ms. Johnson politely get the conference back on track in order to accomplish her goals before their time runs out?

¡Group 2: The reluctant parent

¡Mark is the single parent of 3rd grader Colby and has missed a prior scheduled parent teacher conference with Mr. Adams, Colby’s teacher.  Colby is doing well in all his courses with the exception of Social Studies.  He received a D on his take-home assignment and Mr. Adams wanted to encourage Mark to revise the assignment with Colby. Mr. Adams phones Mark at home one evening.  How should the phone conversation progress?  What kind of information should Mr. Adams share over the phone as Mark makes it clear that it is very difficult for him to get to school for a conference.

¡Group 3: The first-year teacher

¡This is Ms. Blackwell’s first year teaching at Lewis Elementary (4th grade).  She is overwhelmed with the idea of holding parent teacher conferences.  Her principal has instructed all teachers to conduct 20 min sessions with parents over the course of three evenings.  On the first night, she opened up the conferences by asking parents if they had any questions.  Most parents did not ask her anything so the sessions were very short.  Tonight she is trying a different approach and Matt’s parents, Mr. and Mrs. Smith, are first.  How will she begin tonight?

¡

¡Group 4: The teacher as bearer of unexpected news

¡Ms. Spearman has been teaching at Hope Elementary for 4 years but this is her first year teaching a 1st/2nd grade mixed-age class. Ms. Spearman is meeting with Michelle’s parents tonight and has concerns to share with them.  Michelle is a 2nd grader but is still struggling with pre-reading skills.  Michelle transferred into Ms. Spearman’s class three weeks ago from a school in a neighboring state. How should Ms. Spearman broach her concerns with Michelle’s parents?