Expostulate

I was asked by a student today "Do you love or hate parent-teacher conferences?"

Whoa! First I didn't like the choices I was given...way too extreme. But as I thought about it, this is what my answer is:

I like seeing the genetic resemblance these kids have to their parents. I love telling kids how much they look like their mom or dad. My students hate it that they look like their mom or dad.

I like meeting the parents. It answers a lot of questions of why the student is the way he/she is. The saying "the apple doesn't fall far from the tree" is often (not always) true. This can be both a compliment and a slap in the face to some parents.

I like explaining how things are run in the classroom - expectations - course requirements - activities and lessons learned. I think parents get a better picture of my class and what I am like.

I like being able to say good things about my student to the parent. I don't enjoy having to state the obvious when I have to say negative comments. I hate it when parents of a teenager say "I just don't know what to do...(my son/daughter) just doesn't do what I say." I want to yell "BE A PARENT! Set limits and enforce them!"

I hate being away from my own kids. They still miss me when I am not home. I dislike working these extra long talking days. My throat gets soar, my head aches and I crash when I get home.

I like it that parents get to see that the teachers here at PHS are hard working people. We want what is best for our students and we work hard to give them the best.

So, do I love or hate parent-teacher conferences? I think I answered it.