Dos and don’ts during parent-teacher meeting

According to Curriculum Center Research, parental involvement has a significant impact on students’ performance at school. Parents should be involved in school activities regularly and their meetings with teachers cannot be ignored at any cost. During these meetings, teachers can directly communicate with parents and discuss various issues pertaining to students’ performance and progress. Likewise, parents can also convey their messages, concerns, doubts and feedback.

The onus is on teachers to organize parent-teacher meetings on a regular basis and invite parents to attend them. The following tips will highlight the dos and don’ts that teachers should follow while conducting such meetings.

Do’s

• Inform parents beforehand: It is important for teachers to inform parents about the meeting at least 2-3 weeks in advance. Sending out a written notification mentioning date, time, venue and agenda will pave the way for a successful meeting.
• Start on a positive note: It is very important to make parents feel comfortable during a parent-teacher meeting. Start the meeting by mentioning the positive sides of their children. It will set them at ease. Gradually, you can highlight the areas of improvement. However, finish the meeting on a positive note as well. It is important for teachers to infuse a feel-good factor into parents during parent-teacher meetings. It acts as a catalyst for students’ overall development.
• Stay organized: Before starting the meeting, arrange everything that you would require. You may collect some samples of students’ work so that you can show them to parents while discussing the areas of improvements. You can also keep a notebook wherein you can note down valuable points discussed during the meeting and parents’ feedback.
• Take the principal’s help when required: Sometimes a situation is created where you may need your principal’s help. In such a situation, ask for his/her help without any hesitation.

Don’ts

• Don’t shift from the topic: During a parent-teacher meeting, it is quite possible that conversations stray from the topic. Although some out-of-the-topic discussions are ok, the meeting should not go off the agenda.
• Don’t be emotional: Always remember that conducting parents-teacher meetings is a part of your job. So, stay professional and rational. It will make the meeting more meaningful.
• Don’t get late: Punctuality is an important attribute of a good teacher. Be punctual and start the meeting on time.
• Don’t leave your desk and classroom messy: Parents-teacher meetings create a good opportunity for teachers to make a good impression on parents. So, put your best foot forward to keep everything in order, right from your desk to your classroom.

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