Parent -Teacher Interviews

In connection to OCT Standard 5: Ongoing Professional Learning, Mr. Palozzi and Mr. Tari's workshops regarding Parent-Teacher Interviews and parent engagement were highly insightful and tips we will be using for the rest of our teaching careers. 

Sitting in on both of these workshops shows the true reality of dealing with many different types of parents one day. One important takeaway I got from Mr. Palozzi's workshop was that we should already have a relationship with the parents of the students before the interviews, that way there is no surprises or negativity at the interviews. Both Mr. Palozzi and Mr. Tari explained many different experiences and situations but how to remain professional and keeping the student the main focus of the interviews. 

Given the opportunity to sit in on my practicum AT's parent-teacher interviews, I was able to experience (with the parent's and principles consent) and engage in them. At one point, I was personally asked about specific students, rather than directing the questions to my AT, which gave me even more experience when being in that position to speak about a student and their learning. It would have been great to have these workshops before that experience, but looking back on it, I was able to remain professional and keep the students well-being and learning at the top of my mind. Now in my second practicum, my AT has morning bus duty which I assist in and I can definitely see the ways it allows me to connect with parents. It allowed me to get to know certain parents who drop their child off in the morning from my class and create a friendly encounter and see the impact it makes. 

Both Mr. Palozzi and Mr. Tari were able to teach us the experiences and possibilities during these interviews and to go into them (PTIs) already knowing your parents and creating a safe and friendly space -- you and the parent have one common ground and that will always be your student and their child. 

Courtesy of Bianca@NUO-491