Parent Teacher conferences. Did you all know that teachers are nervous for these? I never knew that. As a parent, I assumed we were the ones bringing the anxiety to the room. What will they say? Do they like my kid? Am I getting a letter grade on parenting here?
Turns out, teachers are nervous, too. They see your kids for more hours a day than you do, most likely. They have relationships that are totally separate from the at home kiddo you have loved since day one. It’s October so, your kids and their teachers are in the ‘get to know you’ phase of a relationship, just finding their common language. Your student has to create a new working relationship every year, usually with multiple teachers. Can you imagine figuring out how to work with a new boss - or several - every year?
Teachers are doing the very same thing, multiplied by about thirty. Every year. And then, with only weeks under their belt, they have to sit and be an expert on each student in front of the most discerning of all audiences. The parents. These kids’ biggest fans.
We ask teachers to present some areas of strength and areas for growth. After all, these are kids and learning is what they are doing here. Some kids are excellent students who need social development and some are learning how to be good at school while acting as the congeniality coach in the room. The great thing about the parent teacher conference is getting all parties in the room together, the fans and the coach, to talk about what we can all do. In support of the kids and each other.
Fortunately, there is no scorecard for parenting. You are not being evaluated at your parent teacher conference. You are meeting your child’s newest coach and putting heads and hearts together to firm up a foundation for your kids. Hands in….Go team!