Parent Teacher Conferences

October is always a stressful time for me and probably all teachers. I don't think college adequately prepared me for what parent teacher conferences are really like.

Here is my checklist for how to prepare for parent teacher conferences: (You're welcome new teachers.)

• Get PLENTY of sleep beforehand. Being at the school from 7:00am-8:00pm TWO days in a row really takes it out of you.
• Bring deodorant/a brush/makeup to reapply/possibly a toothbrush. After trying to maintain the attention of 30 distracted students all day you'll need it. No parent wants to see what you ate stuck in your teeth either.
• Pre-plan your professional outfit, so the morning of you don't have to change several times.

Here is my checklist for things that have worked well to do for/during conferences:

• Provide candy for the parents and students. I like to start on a very happy note and very few people have passed up my candy offer. (I buy the good stuff... aka Reeses)
• Always start the conference with something you love about the student. This shows the parents how much you really care and know their child.
• Have water nearby. Talking all day and into the night takes its toll.
• Have things to do between conferences or when someone doesn't show up for their appointment. In a perfect world, there wouldn't be huge gaps in your schedule and nobody would take the last appointment you have available BOTH nights, but it happens.
• Keep a clipboard handy during conferences to take notes of things parents bring up, so you don't forget. By the end of 2 days of conferencing, my clipboard was full.
• I learned this tip from another teacher. When it is time for the conference to end, stand up and start walking the family to the door. This way, you can keep up with your schedule. Obviously you can't always do this, but sometimes it's really helpful. It's easy to fall behind when people come late. (Yesterday someone came 2 hours early and took 25 minutes of my dinner break.)

Here is the list of how to recover after conferences:

• Tell your husband how much you have enjoyed the special treats and surprises he got you last year at parent teacher conferences. Mine was smart and surprised me again this time with ice cream, chips, and root beer.
• Don't plan on doing anything strenuous the day after conferences. I made sure that everything was planned out for today because I knew I would be too exhausted to think about lessons.
• Go to dinner. Andrew and I have been planning on going to dinner the day after conferences (today) for several weeks. This has given me something to look forward to all week. By the way, Texas Roadhouse couldn't have hit the spot more tonight. Yumm... Still recovering and hardly able to move after eating so much, but worth it.
• Give yourself a "lazy day" with your appearance. I set my alarm later this morning and wore a ponytail. After 2 days of full-on makeup and lots of hairspray and hard work on my hair, I deserved a break.
• Last but not least, enjoy the 3ish months you have off until the next Parent Teacher Conferences. (February)