Parent Teacher Conferences

Up until Monday’s required parent teacher conference with my third grader’s homeroom teacher, L1, I was at a loss for what my “sassing” might be about this week. I pondered the usual topics as Jenny would say—the weather (which in September is not Fall-like at all) and politics (which I just don’t feel like using brain cells on this week).

Honestly, I feel like I am always writing about my kids or something relative and that’s because I am! I spend the preponderance of my life, week, day catering to them because they are young and I am responsible for molding them.

But I always remind them that one day when they are adults I want them to think about these times now with their dear mother shuttling them to and from school daily, various practices and activities weekly, to the hairdresser or barber, etc, and I want them in my older age to give me at least half the consideration that I gave them as kids. Both assure me that they will— we will see.

So with school six weeks in it’s time for parent conferences. I have never had any issues with conferences, my kids are usually on target academically and behaviorally, though Jacob vexed me a few weeks ago with some uncharacteristic activity in the classroom. Luckily, the other half of his teaching duo, L2, saw it as an “in the moment” action whereas I saw it as too much gaming and expelled him from such immediately.

Since my new middle schooler has been doing well, thus far, bringing home the bacon on her four week progress report, her homeroom teacher felt face-to-face conferences should be reserved for those parents with kids that seemed to be struggling somewhat.

Thus I got a pass on one conference but will still follow up with an email check in. Let it be known that I am that parent that doesn’t wait for a conference or note home if I detect a persistent issue, I address it promptly.

My third grader had a good report during his conference with no issues and a positive prognosis for the year. Good parents are honest with themselves about what their kids are capable of doing. My youngest is terribly bright, witty, and charming when on task but off task his focus drifts. Off task we are like the Karate Kid with me as Mr. Miyagi telling him as Daniel San that “your focus needs more focus.”

If he loves a topic it gets his full attention and capacity, if he has less luster for something it gets less effort. Honestly that’s a trait he gets from his mommy.

Now I use conferences much like the teachers. As they are sizing up the student in the time they have known them, I use the conference to size up what that teacher has learned about my kid and not just academically.

During his first grade year, I was so impressed that within a matter of weeks Mrs. P had ascertained his academic strengths in addition to several of his emotional sensitivities. She saw him as a complete little being; he knew that and loved her for it instantly and so did I. Last year did not bring such luck but we grew from it.

This year, the horizon is bright with his dual Laurie/Lori squad. Both seem to get his strengths and weaknesses while encouraging progress on both fronts. I was particularly pleased that L1 saw him as “delightful” and quick to respond to corrective directions and that L2 saw his capacity to earn “exceeds” in all areas of study with a little more focus and aims to help him do so.

Parents be aware and thankful for educators that “see” your students daily in your absence—they can and have made a world of difference.