Parent-Teacher Conference Tips for Teachers

Parent-teacher conferences are your chance to connect with parents and showcase how much you value their child’s presence in your classroom—but they don’t have to be stressful! Whether you’re meeting in person or virtually, these easy tips will help you feel prepared, stay on track, and make the most of every conference. Plus, SignUp.com can make scheduling and reminders a total breeze!

Prepare in Advance

• Send a friendly email or letter to parents a couple of weeks before the conference, letting them know you’re excited to meet and asking for any specific questions or concerns they’d like to address. This way, you can make sure you’re fully prepared to discuss what matters most to each parent.
• Gather student work samples, jot down your notes, and set up a conference form to guide your discussion. And don’t forget – use SignUp’s easy online scheduling to keep everything organized. Parents will get automated reminders, and real-time calendar syncing ensures any changes are smoothly handled. 
• Think outside of the traditional face-to-face conference framework (especially important when social distancing is key to public safety) – offer to meet with parents virtually using Zoom, Skype or Facetime. 

When planning virtual meetings: 

• Set up the meeting link that parents will use to join the meeting, then be sure to include the link in your SIgnUp. 
• Select a quiet room with no traffic to avoid distractions. 
• Pick a room with a non-distracting background, or select a virtual background in Zoom. 
• Hang a 'do not disturb' sign on the door for your family or roommates. 
• Use a headset for better audio. 

Stick to the Schedule

Time is precious during parent-teacher conferences, so respect everyone’s schedule. Start and finish on time – even if you need to schedule another conference later for any deeper issues. Using a countdown timer can be a helpful way to stay on track and gently signal when it’s time to wrap up.

Make it a Two-Way Conversation

• Start by highlighting what the student does well. Parents are more likely to be open to constructive feedback when they feel their child’s strengths are being recognized. Share specific examples of positive achievements and interactions.
• Work together on how to address any challenges. Provide suggestions for activities and strategies families can use at home to help their children learn and grow, and develop a few action items you can all implement.
• Also, make sure to ask if there’s anything else you should know – such as learning needs or personal factors that could help you better serve the student. 
• Offer resources to parents to support classroom instruction – books, camps, websites, special programs, etc.
• Don’t forget to invite parents to participate in their child’s education – whether it’s through talents, hobbies, or family traditions that could enrich the class.

Request Feedback & Follow Up

Before wrapping up, thank parents for their involvement and feedback. Ask if their concerns were addressed, and if not, schedule a follow-up. Reassure them that you’re committed to their child’s success and look forward to continuing to work together.

Parent-Teacher Conference Follow-Up with Students

Printable Back-to-School Welcome Letters

Free Demo: Parent-Teacher Conference SignUps