Guide to Teacher Parent Night

Essential Elements for a Successful Meeting

Jul 19, 2009 Karri Weathers

A successful meeting with students' parents is key to creating the foundation for a productive school year.

Most schools conduct some type of "meet the teacher night". Whether the school hosts a formal open house or the teacher conducts a private parent meeting, it is important for parents to gain information about their child's new teacher and the upcoming year. Likewise, it is also helpful for teachers to gain a look into the students' lives away from school.

Parent night can be a nervous thought for new teachers (and some veteran teachers). Speaking to a group of adults is very different than speaking to children. However, with the right key elements, meeting the parents of new, upcoming students is enjoyable and successful.

What Do Teachers Want to Gain From Meeting the Parents?

Scheduling a parent night should be about much more than meeting the school's requirements. Many benefits come to both teachers and parents from successful student family meetings. When planning a parent night presentation presentation, work toward accomplishing these goals:

Create a positive working relationship with parents
Gain parent understanding of behavior policies and consequences
Encourage parent involvement in child's education
Acquire parent understanding of learning goals for the year

What Do Parents Want to Gain From Meeting the Teacher?

A look at the classroom
Information, both personal and professional, about the teacher
An overview of the teacher's behavior and learning policies and goals

In addition, parents also want to meet and see the parents of other children in the class.

Essential Elements for Successful Teacher/Parent Meetings

Ensure that the classroom is ready. Have seating arrangements, cubbies, tables, etc. labeled and ready for students.
Give parents a visual aide. Preferably prepare both a handout and a PowerPoint presentation.
Prepare an agenda. Have an idea of the order that topics will be covered. Keep a copy for reference during the meeting.
Have an area prepared for children that attend with their parents. Use books, blocks, and quiet toys in the area.
Dress like a professional. Stay away from jeans and T-shirts.
Allow time for questions.
Be prepared to speak with some parents individually after the meeting.
Keep a log or sign-in sheet of parents that attend.
Send home information covered in the meeting with students in which parents did not attend.
Give detailed explanations. If a folder is sent home each night, have an example to show parents so they know what to look for in their child's backpack.

With the right preparation and attitude, meeting the parents of students helps to create a successful year. Look at more parent night ideas from Teaching Heart. In addition, Scholastic gives an overview of what to expect at parent night.

The copyright of the article Guide to Teacher Parent Night in Teacher Tips/Training is owned by Karri Weathers. Permission to republish Guide to Teacher Parent Night in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.