I can't believe I'm posting a teacher vent!

[disykat]

Don't get me wrong, I'm usually very supportive of my kid's teachers. I'm a teacher myself. My son's are in 4th and 6th grade and this is my first major complaint - I guess we've been very fortunate.

We've been bothered this year by the homework, and I was feeling pretty irritated last week about a 22 page Halloween "fun" packet (assigned on Friday, due on Monday) that took my son 5 hours to complete. That didn't help my reaction to the teacher conference note I recieved from the teacher on Friday. Here it is becoming common to do "student led conferences" where the student facilitates the conference following a set format. While I'm not crazy about them, I understand the purpose and they are a good experience for the child. It really forces them to accept responsibility for their learning. Usually the parents, teacher and student all sit down together for this conference and there is plenty of time for questions etc.

However, the teacher's note explained which days she would be available to conference (only two afternoons out of the four conference days) and that the students would be holding their conferences with 3 conferences going on simultaneously. She will be present in the room - circulating to oversee the conferences.

I am bothered for numerous reasons, but I wondered what your gut reaction would be to this.

 

[luvthatduke]

"However, the teacher's note explained which days she would be available to conference (only two afternoons out of the four conference days) and that the students would be holding their conferences with 3 conferences going on simultaneously. She will be present in the room - circulating to oversee the conferences."


Sounds like teacher's found a way to lighten
both her involvement AND her workload??

Please, no flames -
I love teachers & know you're overworked in many cases.

But, the 5 hours of "fun" really got me,
and then to read that teacher would be
"circulating" - well, just doesn't feel right IMHO.

I'd be interested to read how it goes for you, disykat.

 

[powellrj]

that has become a huge vent of mine.... stop assigning FUN to my kids. We are busy enough with our own FUN things that we don't need to manufacture busy work to be done at home. It just creates more stress trying to find the time to have FUN and still go to the really fun things my family does.

Conferences at our school are now held the first 3 days the week of fall break and then they have thursday and friday off. The way its suppose to work is

Monday school from 8:15 - 11:45, conferences 1-4 and 5-7
Tuesday scool from 8:15 -11:45, conferences 1-4
Wednesday school from 8:15-11:45 no conferences to make-up for working monday 5-7.

Sounds ok, buy now most teachers will work monday 1-7 and take tuesday and wenesday off as personal days and take a vacation. That leaves one day during the hours of 1-7 to get 28 conferences in. The hours alone only allow for 18 conference already, now you add that you must come between the hours allowed add more kids to the mix (many parents have more than one child at the school) and then they wonder why they don't have 100%.

I thought that mine was bad, but yours is even worse. Many times this is the time I met with the teacher to find out if there are any issues, but you really don't have a chance with children present. Add more children to the mix and have them all talking at the sametime...wow. I guess I don't have much to complain about. I guess its just a matter of time before we see this at our school too.

 

[Sleepy]

I don't like the idea of having classmates and their parents overhearing concerns of my own child. Seems like this so called conference could be done at home WITHOUT the teacher. I agree with luvthatduke. Teacher is cramming for time. If my childs work is important enough for a conference, it is important enough for UNDIVIDED attention!

 

[bballmom56]

Conferences should be 1 on 1. Ours were that way until DD was in the middle school grades (school is K-8). Since they have different teachers for different subjects, you could choose the teachers you wanted to meet with. I selected three I wanted to talk to assuming I would be with each one separately and there were different topics I wanted to cover with each. Imagine my surprise when all three met with me at the same time! That was uncomfortable because there were things I wanted to talk about with one particular teacher that I didn't want the others hearing. So I couldn't do it then. They changed the system the next year back to 1 on 1.

22 pages ! That seems like an awful lot!

 

[dg39]

I want a private conference with the teacher and myself. Undivided attention to my concerns only. And I don't want my child present. I want to hear just what the teacher has to say about my childs schoolwork/homework/tests and everything that goes along with her day at school. None of this student led conferences. I understand that teachers are busy, but, so am I, and if I'm willing and able to meet with the teacher for a private conference, so should she. I also want no one else in the room while my conference is going on. Its private, between myself and the teacher only. AND, my child doesn't need 5hrs. of fun work to do at home. My daughters idea of fun isn't doing a 22 page work packet. I understand that some work needs to be done on a weekend, but not this amount. We as a family do have other things to do with our weekends other than a 22 page "fun" packet. My dd is loaded up with homework/projects and study time every single day of the week. She does need a break during the weekend and so do I.

 

[crs7568]

I am also a teacher and I have to say that this conference is totally inappropriate. I would request a private conference and let her know that you already communicate with your child at home.

 

[goofy4tink]

Another vote for one on one conf. I did get a conf with all three of my dd's teachers this year. My big gripe? That they assigned the time. The kids have a half day on the conference days. So then, the poor parents who work, have to take time off in order to meet with the teachers, in the middle of the day!! Yes, I know that teachers value their time also. But what happened to those conferences at night, for the parents that can not get time away? Or afterschool, so the kids don't have to miss school? So far this year our kids have missed about 6 days due teacher professional days and a few holidays. Oops...got off the track. Sorry.

 

[BuzznBelle'smom]

Totally unacceptable. You have the right to a private conference. I would request one, with her undivided attention, and if she won't do that, go over her head. This is being done for her convenience--there is absolutely NO benefit to your child to have her "circulating" among 3 other groups. What if, say, your child is being bullied, and the bully is at the next table? Yeah, you'll really get soemthing accomplished! But even in a less urgent matter, you don't need other people in the room. Personally, I'm not a huge fan of having the child in there anyway, I'd rather just talk to the teacher candidly without the child, but I do understand the whole responsibility thing. Good luck to you.

 

[amid chaos]

If this were me...I would participate in the "student run conference' and them make an appointment for a one on one with the teacher. can you imagine her suprise when all the parents make an appointment for one on one after her group conferences to save time...LOL
my guess is this is the first time for this type of conference and probably the last.

 

[Serena]

If I'm going to take my time to have a conference at school, then that teacher is going to take her time to speak with me privately.
I can and do talk with my child at home, and this forced meeting just ticks me off.
I would not like this at all, and I would let them know.

 

[eeyore kelly]

I would also want a private conference, facilitated by the teacher with her full attention. Sounds like she maybe trying to skip hearing some concerns and complaints of the parents.

 

[ByTheSea]

I actually can see this happening - not that I like it.

My DS's 5th grade teacher was suspended pending an investigation by the School board, all we know is that is based on a complaint filed directly with the school board, not to the school itself, and was based on something that occurred/was said during parent/teacher conferences. The investigation took months, but because the teacher was "cleared" or "not charged" the issue is confidential/unknown to the rest of the parents. The teacher was crushed and requested a transfer to another school. I have to wonder if the one-to-one parent-to-teacher meetings will come to an end at our school now.

 

[Mskanga]

I am very fortunate this year to have wonderful teachers for sixth grade for my daughter, especially after last year where the teacher didn't give a crap if she got an A or a D for anything eventhough she's an A's and B's student.
The only complaint they have is she's not participating in class too much....why? Because she's shy!!! But once she's told she has to raise her hand more , she does.
Last year she didn't even make it to citizen of the month ( not student , she didn't make it for that either ) for the first time since she's been in school that she didn't make it for any of them.
Fortunately that teacher is gone this year , I really don't think she was cut out to be a teacher, as she told me before that was only a paycheck. Maybe it was a paycheck, but she still had to do her job.
This year the teacher has asked three of the parents not to have a conference because the kids are doing very well in school and they need the time for the other kids who are having problems, I see the teachers often so I had no problem giving my time slot for someone else, but if I was going to have one, it would be a private one, you can trust me on that one.
BTW, she made it to student of the month this month , so does that give you a clue that last year's teacher just did not like her?
I would definetely request a private conference , no doubts about that.

 

[RitaZ.]

She will be present in the room - circulating to oversee the conferences.

I've never heard of anything like this before. Conferences are short enough as they are, I can't see how such a scenario would be beneficial. What exactly is that supposed to accomplish? Save the teachers time? What about privacy issues? IMO, it's a bad idea. I'm sure that there will other parents that won't approve of this type of conference.

 

[Cindy B]

Student led conferences are being more common here. The middle school where I work uses this format, and came upon a lot of opposition.

So now, they only have conferences 1:1 with parents if a situation arises. Since each teacher has a minimum of 100 students (mostly 125), they will only conference with parents that need it.

The student led does show a portfolio of thier work compared to "exceeds the standard" work. Personally I hated it due to the comparison of here 's an A students work, and here is yours. If your student is not the A student, you feel like a total jerk. And then you start complaining, and feel inadequate.

As for the teacher circulating, it may be 5/5/5 in a fifteen minute block. I don't think that is right, on many different levels. First off privacy issues are abound here. One nosy parent can find out how little Susie is compared to thier little Johnny.

Its a nice idea on paper, which is why my administration did it, but it was nixed by parents. Raise a stink, and it may go away!

 

[disneygals]

Originally posted by powellrj
that has become a huge vent of mine.... stop assigning FUN to my kids. We are busy enough with our own FUN things that we don't need to manufacture busy work to be done at home. It just creates more stress trying to find the time to have FUN and still go to the really fun things my family does.

This paragraph really cracked me up...I can SO relate. My third grader's last "fun" project was a dream journal. The poor kid doesn't remember her dreams!! What a stressful week that was.

For the op, yes, sounds bizarre all around.

 

[coinkc]

Originally posted by goofy4tink
Another vote for one on one conf. I did get a conf with all three of my dd's teachers this year. My big gripe? That they assigned the time. The kids have a half day on the conference days. So then, the poor parents who work, have to take time off in order to meet with the teachers, in the middle of the day!! Yes, I know that teachers value their time also. But what happened to those conferences at night, for the parents that can not get time away? Or afterschool, so the kids don't have to miss school? So far this year our kids have missed about 6 days due teacher professional days and a few holidays. Oops...got off the track. Sorry.

As a teacher and a parent, I must jump in here. I too agree with one-on-one conferences. However, why should I take time from my family to hold night conferences for "those poor parents who work"? Teachers do not get paid any extra whether they leave at 4:00 or 9:00. Also, I used to hold evening conferences for working parents. However, after sitting alone at 7:00 waiting for the parents who signed up for those time slots and then didn't bother to show, well, I just decided I'd rather be home with my daughter. And by the way, I did take off a half day to attend my daughter's conferences.

(Stepping off my soapbox now.)

 

[bobcat]

As far as student led conferences go I don't feel they are appropriate for elementary ages. Starting at 6th grade would be fine. The school where I teach has student led conferences and they have been wonderful! However we are a middle school and students need to be taking more responsibility for their work, which is exactly what student led conferences accomplish. I love the fact that the students will come into my room, pick up their folders and tell their parents everything that they have been doing. They feel a real pride in their work. I talk with parents and address and concerns or give praise as needed. If there is a student that I need to have a one on one conference with we set up another time. One thing student led conferences have forced teachers to do is not wait until conference time, which is too late in my opinion, to address concerns.

I have my own concerns with my son's conference tonight but I will withhold comment until I actually meet with them.

 

[believe]

I would have no problem coming to see my child's work, but I do want to talk with the teacher. The teacher may have a different view or some helpful suggestions for my child that I want to hear. Why would I want to go to the school to hear the same thing I can hear from my child at home.

Why I understand teachers get the same pay whether they leave at 4 or 9, this is usually an understanding going into the job. The same as a management job at a corporate office. If the conferences were during the day I could take the time to come in, but there are a lot of single parents who need that pay to put food on the table for their kids. Also, just because the conference is in the evening doesn't mean parents aren't taking time off to attend. My husband works evenings and he takes nights off to attend things for our daughters.