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Parent teacher conferences are a time of year that many teachers, and parents, dread. Yet, you can have them go smoothly and be productive by doing five things to get ready.

1. Goals: Decide what you want to accomplish in the parent teacher conference. Do you want to showcase the student’s work? Will it be a student-led conference? Do you want to discuss grades? Do you have behavioral concerns? Do you want to discuss upcoming school and classroom activities?
2. Materials: Once you decide on your purpose, gather your materials. Make a folder of the student work, report card, notes to parents, or other documentation you’ll be reviewing. If it’s a student led conference, each student should create a portfolio folder.
3. Be positive and professional: Parents want to hear good things about their children. They love them, and hope for them to be successful. Try to find complimentary things to say about every student. Use the sandwich method if you have bad news. Sandwich a piece of bad news, such as incomplete work, between two positive comments. It will soften the blow for the parents and the student.
4. Specific details: Write down specific comments about each student. It’s not appropriate to say, “Jimmy never pays attention in class.” State things using evidence or specific details. For example, “Last week, on three assignments, Jimmy did not follow directions.” Then hand the assignments to the parents for them to see.
5. Make parents your allies: Parents want the best for their students. Harness that hope by letting the parents know that you are in this together. Offer suggestions for things they can do to help their children be successful. Sometimes parents don’t realize that simple things such as getting their children to bed on time can reap tremendous improvements in classroom performance. Let them know that you are there to help them and work together with them.

Most of all, don’t rush. Many schools have very short conferences, 15 or 20 minutes each, but by planning ahead, this time doesn’t need to feel rushed. This may be the only time a parent meets with you for the entire year, so don’t make them feel as if they’re on an assembly line being pushed out the door for the next parent. Make them feel like an important, valued partner in their child’s education, and they will repay you with the support you need.

By handling parent teacher conferences skillfully and professionally, you can make it an enjoyable time of year.