November /December

Model Teacher Leaders Support Schools in Increasing Student Achievement

SRT 1 Model Teacher Leaders (MTL) serve a vital role in supporting schools in increasing student achievement. MTLs have a multitude of responsibilities including implementing system initiatives, disaggregating data, facilitating professional development, collaborating with principals, instructional specialists, teachers and parents as well as ensuring that the standards-based curriculum is effectively implemented in classrooms.

Nicole Collier

Continental Colony
Herndon
Venetian

Monishae O’Neill

Deerwood
Miles
Sylvan

Calesia Grissom

Adamsville
Kimberly
West Manor

Mimi Phillips

Fain
Fickett
Oglethorpe

Arica Johnson

Connally
Bunche
Brown

Olivia Waller-Hall

Bethune
Finch
Peyton Forest

Millicent McCaskill

Cascade
Kennedy
Young

Margul Retha Woolfolk

Beecher
Jones
Perkerson

Community

Southwest Regional Library Provides Computer Usage for Students
The Southwest Regional Library has dedicated the Children's Department’s computers solely for children’s use on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays from 3:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.; Thursdays from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. and Sundays 2:00 p.m.-6:00 p.m.

The hours of the Southwest Regional Library are:
Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday 10:00 a.m.-8:00 p.m.
Thursday, Friday and Saturday 10:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m.
Sunday, 2:00 p.m.-6:00 p.m.

Homework help is available after the arts and crafts program in the Children's Department from 4:30 p.m.-6:00 p.m. on the following dates October 13, 20, 24, 27; November 7, 10, 14, 16; and December 5, 12, 14 and 19.

Instructional Focus

PARENT/ TEACHER CONNECTION

Parent-Teacher Conferences – Careful Planning Makes the Difference
Judith Baenen

Parent-teacher conferences by their very nature can be perilous. On one hand, you have a committed, caring teacher who wants only the best for the student and is simply seeking ways to work with the parents to assure the child's success. On the other hand, you have committed, caring parents who want the best for their child and ... wait a minute!?! Why is it that conferences cause so much anxiety for all parties?

Mistrust. Neither parents nor teachers really believe what I have said above. Teachers think that parents aren't giving as much as they are; parents think that teachers don't care as much as they do.

Fear. Parents worry that they aren't good parents; teachers sometimes feel like they have let kids down.

History. Teachers have had (or heard about) an occasional bad experience with parents over the years and are anxious something similar might be repeated; parents have their own school memories, and often they are not happy ones.

Issues. Sometimes there are serious concerns that must be dealt with at a conference, and both parties know it but neither wants to act. This can result in accusations and confrontations rather than conversations.

What teachers can do:

Do everything you can to make the parents feel comfortable. Don't sit behind your desk—a circle table in your room would be better. How about having a dish of candy on the table or some cookies? Parents who are made to feel like the middle school student they once were are often not at their best. Positive small talk may ease tensions, especially if you can come up with something special about their child.

Thank the parents for coming in. Here's a chance for everyone to work together for the student's success. Review the curriculum so far and clearly state your goals for their child. Quickly and concisely indicate how their child measured up. Then be quiet. If the parents nod and agree, go on with some ideas for how things can improve, if necessary.

If the parents disagree and want to argue, listen. Don't interrupt. Listen. You should listen to their issues. Don't be distracted by personal attacks, and don't get defensive. Again, don't interrupt! When the parents have finished, repeat what you understand their issues to be. The issue isn't that you lost a paper, it's that they saw Georgie working on it, and how can they assure the work gets to you? The issue isn't that you don't like Tiffany; it's really that Tiffany doesn't know how to improve her grade. Ignoring the personal stuff allows you to get to the point more quickly and share ideas for how things can improve.

Remember that middle school students are adept at telling half-truths. "Mrs. Bookworm said that she wouldn't help me after school" is really " ... couldn't help me after school today, but tomorrow would work." "Mr. Logarithm won't accept any homework after the day it's due" is really "…after the day it's due without deducting five points." Be aware that parents have often heard half the truth, and you will be required to gently fill in the other half without accusing the student of prevaricating.

Be compassionate. Most parent concerns are based on fear: fear for their child's future, fear about their own or their child's adequacy—even fear about things outside the school that affect their lives and the lives of their kids. They want you to be competent without being cocky; they expect you to be professional without being condescending; they want you to be nurturing without being a wet noodle.

Calm and thoughtful preparation for parent-teacher conferences will stave off any number of difficult consequences. A successful parent-teacher conference can be beneficial for the student, the parents, and the teacher.

Judith Baenen is president of St. Mary's Academy in Englewood, Colorado, and author of National Middle School Association's HELP, More HELP, and HELP for Teachers.