Parent-Teacher meetings: experiences and advice

Dionysus

Just checking the calendar for my school and the parent-teacher meetings are on this month. I don't know how the school expects us to talk with the parents of 70 children in the two hours allotted.

This will be my first P-T meeting to do, as I'm sure is the case for most of the PGDE students here. What sort of things should we expect and any tips that might be useful in dealing with parents?

Thanks!

byhookorbycrook

Start and end on a positive note, have suggestions as to what the parents can do if they want to help at home, have test scores etc to hand to discuss progress, ask the parents if they want to ask anything or if there is anything that you should know from a teaching perspective.

Terri26

Most schools don't expect student teachers to attend PT meetings, however some schools may want you to sit with the co-operating teacher. student teachers are not supposed to have sole responsibility of a class and at teh end of the day responsibility lies with the allocated teacher.

implausible

How have you 70 students? Surely, you don't have full charge of 3 classes? Anyway, I wouldn't worry about all of them turning up, you never get 100% turnout.

Are the students aware that you are doing the PGDE? If so, be prepared for some parents bringing up the fact that you are 'only' a student. Have an answer prepared for them and don't lose focus - it's the student you're discussing. The other likelihood is that they might not come to you at all because you're 'only' a student.

I'll echo what the above poster said about test scores. Have your diary with you, so you can show the parent the student's attendance and behaviour. It's more professional and harder for a parent to question.

Dionysus

Terri26 wrote: »

Most schools don't expect student teachers to attend PT meetings, however some schools may want you to sit with the co-operating teacher. student teachers are not supposed to have sole responsibility of a class and at teh end of the day responsibility lies with the allocated teacher.

Thanks Terri. Well, I could be mistaken but it seems that I do have sole responsibility for my classes in the sense that I filled in the school reports for all students in these classes. On that basis alone I presumed that I would be meeting the parents. I set the Christmas exam for one of my three subjects, so I'm not sure if that is an indicator of anything. I am expected to correct the exams for all three subjects. But I set the monthly assessments for all three subjects.

I do ask the established teachers in the three subjects for advice and opinions, but they never interfere with the class. In a sense I wouldn't mind if they did as it would keep me more on track but on the other hand I'm in the deep end and probably learning a lot more than I otherwise would.

None of the students know I'm doing the PGDE, which is strange. But if I meet their parents I think I might tell them especially because they may bring up one of my more experimental classes at the start of the year. Dunno though. Just trying to discover how bad such meetings can get now before I return on Thursday.

Chilli Con Kearney

Hey Dionysus, don't think you should bring up the fact that you're doing the PGDE. Some parents could have an idea that you are a student teacher, but most people are decent enough not to embarrasse someone with a question/accusation like that. Also, I doubt the school management would be jumping up and down if they knew you were telling parents that - could reflect bad on the school in their eyes. Not that it is, but you know how carpark chat goes.

Dionysus

deemark wrote: »

How have you 70 students? Surely, you don't have full charge of 3 classes?

Well, I'm the only teacher of the students in question in the three subjects in question. They definitely are not taught these subjects by any other teacher in the school. The reason why I was worried that near 100% would turn up is because I'm teaching in a private school. Does that usually lead to greater parental involvement in such meetings?

They are not aware that I'm doing the PGDE, as they would have said it a long time ago otherwise. They are, however, aware that they have more inspections, but they haven't made the connection yet that it is I who is being examined!

I have all the results from their assessments written up already so I'll definitely use that. As two of the three classes are large it is harder to make an individual assessment of each kid, particularly when it's looking for something really positive in each one. The smaller class is much easier to do this with.

Dionysus

Fidge9 wrote: »

Hey Dionysus, don't think you should bring up the fact that you're doing the PGDE. Some parents could have an idea that you are a student teacher, but most people are decent enough not to embarrasse someone with a question/accusation like that. Also, I doubt the school management would be jumping up and down if they knew you were telling parents that - could reflect bad on the school in their eyes. Not that it is, but you know how carpark chat goes.

Good point. I hadn't thought having a trainee teacher would necessarily be seen as a negative by parents, but rather as part of the education process in every school. On the other hand I could understand it if it's a fee paying school. The only reason I was thinking of saying it was because "2 or 3" of them in one class had said I had set work which was too hard for their kids so I thought saying it might explain this. Now, I think I might just leave it out.

implausible

Dionysus wrote: »

The only reason I was thinking of saying it was because "2 or 3" of them in one class had said I had set work which was too hard for their kids so I thought saying it might explain this. Now, I think I might just leave it out.

Sounds like a good idea, telling them you're a student would only come across as an excuse. However, if they realise you're a student, don't bother denying it and emphasise how up-to-date your teaching methods are because you're still in training. If the question of the work comes up, have an answer prepared about the importance of challenging students and not letting them get complacent.

I only asked about the three classes as it sounds like a lot of work and pressure on a trainee teacher. However, it's probably very good experience for you and by letting you take full charge, the kids don't figure out that you're a student.

tgirl

In my first year teaching the VP told me to remember the two golden rules of parent / teacher meetings 1.Tell them what they want to hear 2. Remember the apple doesn't fall far from the tree!

Not very helpful for disruptive kids I know

implausible

tgirl wrote: »

Not very helpful for disruptive kids I know

The apple not falling far from the tree is probably more true in that case!

gaeilgegrinds

I like to let my parents talk. Sounds daft but they get things off their chest at the start rather than the end then, nothing worse than a parent leaving in bad form. I always discuss attendance, behaviour, academia, co-operation, disruptive behaviour, any good work done outside of class...that sort of thing. It sounds like you've an awful lot of work for a student teacher though, what subject do you teach? Might indicate the type of questions you could be asked or topics brought up. As for mentioning your status, definite no-no in my books. Obviously if asked answer it but I would see that as being rude of them. In our school student teachers are never asked to do PTMs though, seems a bit unfair but each to their own I suppose. Then again none are ever given full responsibility bar in S.P.H.E. or C.S.P.E. and then a report is given to the base teacher. Best of luck and don't worry, most, if not all, are a delight!

spurious

The parents you really need or want to see often don't turn up.
It's part of the reason the kid is the way they are.