when are parent teacher conferences for MS in MCPS?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:there aren't even that many slots. my kid's english teacher posted 2.5 hours worth of slots and he must have at least 4 sections of 28 kids each...they're all full.

If they're full, you should contact the teacher for a slot. The teacher should be there long enough (on that day or a different day) to meet anyone who wants a meeting. If you need more than 5 or so minutes, you can ask for a real meeting time. (If the teacher is playing games by doing as you describe, they deserve to have people request longer meetings on various and sundry dates.)

Sometimes it's not feasible for teachers to meet with all parents. What if the teacher has 100 plus students? This is why we have Synergy, Interims, report cards, etc. Not every parent/student nerds a conference.

That’s true but my kids’ middle school has 2.5 hours of slots of 10 minutes each (8 minutes for parent + 2 minutes for teacher to regroup.) that’s 150 minutes or 15 kids per middle school teacher-it’s no wonder there aren’t enough slots to go around. And no it’s not ok to not meet with all the parents who want to meet. These are half days so the teachers can do PT conferences.

Teacher here. I was just reading a thread on the “jobs and careers” board. Professionals were in agreement that people shouldn’t work over their contracted hours if they aren’t being compensated.

But a teacher? Teachers are expected to sacrifice as much of their own time as necessary.

Let’s talk conferences. At my school, I was given one day for conferences at 15 minute intervals. (I received a 30 minute break mid-day.) Overall, I was able to meet with 20 parents that day out of 104. That’s all the time my school provided.

So all the extra conference requests are happening on my own time in the afternoons and evenings, on top of my 60 hours I already work a week.

I long for a job where my work/life balance is respected.

Many professionals who are exempt work over the hours they are technically required to work. At my nonprofit 60+ hour weeks are typical, and the pay is mediocre. People do it because they are committed to the mission.

And it’s not okay at your nonprofit, either. Why are you comfortable working at a place that demands so much of your time? I am no longer willing to sacrifice my own family or wellbeing for “the mission.”

Teaching is merely a job, and it is no longer getting all my nights and weekends.

[Anonymous]

There are only 15 slots that teachers offer for a total of 2.5 hours at my school, and most middle school teachers teach 30 kids in each of 4 classes, that's barely more than 10% of kids whose parents are getting to talk to their kid's middle school teacher. That's a pretty poor ratio for parental communication, particularly in core subjects like English and math.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:There are only 15 slots that teachers offer for a total of 2.5 hours at my school, and most middle school teachers teach 30 kids in each of 4 classes, that's barely more than 10% of kids whose parents are getting to talk to their kid's middle school teacher. That's a pretty poor ratio for parental communication, particularly in core subjects like English and math.

Speak to the schools about offering more parent/teacher days. It isn’t the TEACHER offering so few spots; the problem is the school system only provides the teacher with that amount of time.

Like everything else about teaching, the teacher isn’t provided with the time required to get the job done. The expectation is always that the teacher gives up afternoons, nights, and weekends to do what the system won’t give the teacher time to do.

And if we don’t do it, somehow we aren’t supporting the “mission” or the “kids”, and we need to remember our “calling,” our “purpose,” and our “why.”

[Anonymous]

Teacher PP, I’m sorry that sucks. I wish mcps could get there you know what together and figure out a better way to support the number of children and families in the school system AND the teachers who are in the trenches so to speak. PTC are important check-ins especially for kids who are struggling in a subject. Maybe there could be some sort of threshold—eg student has a grade of C or lower?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Teacher PP, I’m sorry that sucks. I wish mcps could get there you know what together and figure out a better way to support the number of children and families in the school system AND the teachers who are in the trenches so to speak. PTC are important check-ins especially for kids who are struggling in a subject. Maybe there could be some sort of threshold—eg student has a grade of C or lower?

Many schools have gone to exactly that. They invite parents of students with C or lower to conference and then save a few slots for other parents. But again, teachers have 2 afternoons to get through parents teacher conferences. This works fine for Elementary where teachers have less than 30 students. But in MS and HS teacher have multiple classes of 25+ kids. And contrary to popular DCUM belief, everyone is not getting an A.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Teacher PP, I’m sorry that sucks. I wish mcps could get there you know what together and figure out a better way to support the number of children and families in the school system AND the teachers who are in the trenches so to speak. PTC are important check-ins especially for kids who are struggling in a subject. Maybe there could be some sort of threshold—eg student has a grade of C or lower?

We are encouraged to reach out to the families of students who are struggling. The biggest problem with this (in my classes) is that families with students who are doing an awesome job snd understand the material sign up for all the available slots.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:there aren't even that many slots. my kid's english teacher posted 2.5 hours worth of slots and he must have at least 4 sections of 28 kids each...they're all full.

If they're full, you should contact the teacher for a slot. The teacher should be there long enough (on that day or a different day) to meet anyone who wants a meeting. If you need more than 5 or so minutes, you can ask for a real meeting time. (If the teacher is playing games by doing as you describe, they deserve to have people request longer meetings on various and sundry dates.)

Sometimes it's not feasible for teachers to meet with all parents. What if the teacher has 100 plus students? This is why we have Synergy, Interims, report cards, etc. Not every parent/student nerds a conference.

That’s true but my kids’ middle school has 2.5 hours of slots of 10 minutes each (8 minutes for parent + 2 minutes for teacher to regroup.) that’s 150 minutes or 15 kids per middle school teacher-it’s no wonder there aren’t enough slots to go around. And no it’s not ok to not meet with all the parents who want to meet. These are half days so the teachers can do PT conferences.

Teacher here. I was just reading a thread on the “jobs and careers” board. Professionals were in agreement that people shouldn’t work over their contracted hours if they aren’t being compensated.

But a teacher? Teachers are expected to sacrifice as much of their own time as necessary.

Let’s talk conferences. At my school, I was given one day for conferences at 15 minute intervals. (I received a 30 minute break mid-day.) Overall, I was able to meet with 20 parents that day out of 104. That’s all the time my school provided.

So all the extra conference requests are happening on my own time in the afternoons and evenings, on top of my 60 hours I already work a week.

I long for a job where my work/life balance is respected.

Many professionals who are exempt work over the hours they are technically required to work. At my nonprofit 60+ hour weeks are typical, and the pay is mediocre. People do it because they are committed to the mission.

And it’s not okay at your nonprofit, either. Why are you comfortable working at a place that demands so much of your time? I am no longer willing to sacrifice my own family or wellbeing for “the mission.”

Teaching is merely a job, and it is no longer getting all my nights and weekends.

Agreed. We need to stop normalizing this- for teachers, non profit workers, everyone. I refuse to sacrifice time with my family to do something that should be built into my paid time. I’m not a charity- I’m not donating my time to my work.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:there aren't even that many slots. my kid's english teacher posted 2.5 hours worth of slots and he must have at least 4 sections of 28 kids each...they're all full.

If they're full, you should contact the teacher for a slot. The teacher should be there long enough (on that day or a different day) to meet anyone who wants a meeting. If you need more than 5 or so minutes, you can ask for a real meeting time. (If the teacher is playing games by doing as you describe, they deserve to have people request longer meetings on various and sundry dates.)

Sometimes it's not feasible for teachers to meet with all parents. What if the teacher has 100 plus students? This is why we have Synergy, Interims, report cards, etc. Not every parent/student nerds a conference.

That’s true but my kids’ middle school has 2.5 hours of slots of 10 minutes each (8 minutes for parent + 2 minutes for teacher to regroup.) that’s 150 minutes or 15 kids per middle school teacher-it’s no wonder there aren’t enough slots to go around. And no it’s not ok to not meet with all the parents who want to meet. These are half days so the teachers can do PT conferences.

Teacher here. I was just reading a thread on the “jobs and careers” board. Professionals were in agreement that people shouldn’t work over their contracted hours if they aren’t being compensated.

But a teacher? Teachers are expected to sacrifice as much of their own time as necessary.

Let’s talk conferences. At my school, I was given one day for conferences at 15 minute intervals. (I received a 30 minute break mid-day.) Overall, I was able to meet with 20 parents that day out of 104. That’s all the time my school provided.

So all the extra conference requests are happening on my own time in the afternoons and evenings, on top of my 60 hours I already work a week.

I long for a job where my work/life balance is respected.

Many professionals who are exempt work over the hours they are technically required to work. At my nonprofit 60+ hour weeks are typical, and the pay is mediocre. People do it because they are committed to the mission.

And it’s not okay at your nonprofit, either. Why are you comfortable working at a place that demands so much of your time? I am no longer willing to sacrifice my own family or wellbeing for “the mission.”

Teaching is merely a job, and it is no longer getting all my nights and weekends.

Agreed. We need to stop normalizing this- for teachers, non profit workers, everyone. I refuse to sacrifice time with my family to do something that should be built into my paid time. I’m not a charity- I’m not donating my time to my work.

Thank you! If these tasks are integral to my job (grading, planning, contacting parents), then I should receive time during the work day to get them done.

Regarding conferences: the district has determined that conferences aren’t important if I am only given time for 15 when I have 100 students. (And yes, most are claimed by parents with A students, leaving few slots for parents I need to speak to.)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Teacher PP, I’m sorry that sucks. I wish mcps could get there you know what together and figure out a better way to support the number of children and families in the school system AND the teachers who are in the trenches so to speak. PTC are important check-ins especially for kids who are struggling in a subject. Maybe there could be some sort of threshold—eg student has a grade of C or lower?

We are encouraged to reach out to the families of students who are struggling. The biggest problem with this (in my classes) is that families with students who are doing an awesome job snd understand the material sign up for all the available slots.

Maybe the sign up link could only be sent to families of students with a C or lower?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Teacher PP, I’m sorry that sucks. I wish mcps could get there you know what together and figure out a better way to support the number of children and families in the school system AND the teachers who are in the trenches so to speak. PTC are important check-ins especially for kids who are struggling in a subject. Maybe there could be some sort of threshold—eg student has a grade of C or lower?

We are encouraged to reach out to the families of students who are struggling. The biggest problem with this (in my classes) is that families with students who are doing an awesome job snd understand the material sign up for all the available slots.

Maybe the sign up link could only be sent to families of students with a C or lower?

Which is fine, but then we'll have a DCUM thread about how the schools don't communicate when conferences are and some parents will demand the teachers have conferences all week. Or month. Or even in the summer, depending on who you ask in this thread.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:there aren't even that many slots. my kid's english teacher posted 2.5 hours worth of slots and he must have at least 4 sections of 28 kids each...they're all full.

If they're full, you should contact the teacher for a slot. The teacher should be there long enough (on that day or a different day) to meet anyone who wants a meeting. If you need more than 5 or so minutes, you can ask for a real meeting time. (If the teacher is playing games by doing as you describe, they deserve to have people request longer meetings on various and sundry dates.)

Sometimes it's not feasible for teachers to meet with all parents. What if the teacher has 100 plus students? This is why we have Synergy, Interims, report cards, etc. Not every parent/student nerds a conference.

That’s true but my kids’ middle school has 2.5 hours of slots of 10 minutes each (8 minutes for parent + 2 minutes for teacher to regroup.) that’s 150 minutes or 15 kids per middle school teacher-it’s no wonder there aren’t enough slots to go around. And no it’s not ok to not meet with all the parents who want to meet. These are half days so the teachers can do PT conferences.

Teacher here. I was just reading a thread on the “jobs and careers” board. Professionals were in agreement that people shouldn’t work over their contracted hours if they aren’t being compensated.

But a teacher? Teachers are expected to sacrifice as much of their own time as necessary.

Let’s talk conferences. At my school, I was given one day for conferences at 15 minute intervals. (I received a 30 minute break mid-day.) Overall, I was able to meet with 20 parents that day out of 104. That’s all the time my school provided.

So all the extra conference requests are happening on my own time in the afternoons and evenings, on top of my 60 hours I already work a week.

I long for a job where my work/life balance is respected.

Many professionals who are exempt work over the hours they are technically required to work. At my nonprofit 60+ hour weeks are typical, and the pay is mediocre. People do it because they are committed to the mission.

And it’s not okay at your nonprofit, either. Why are you comfortable working at a place that demands so much of your time? I am no longer willing to sacrifice my own family or wellbeing for “the mission.”

Teaching is merely a job, and it is no longer getting all my nights and weekends.

It’s the reality of being a professional in an exempt position.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:there aren't even that many slots. my kid's english teacher posted 2.5 hours worth of slots and he must have at least 4 sections of 28 kids each...they're all full.

If they're full, you should contact the teacher for a slot. The teacher should be there long enough (on that day or a different day) to meet anyone who wants a meeting. If you need more than 5 or so minutes, you can ask for a real meeting time. (If the teacher is playing games by doing as you describe, they deserve to have people request longer meetings on various and sundry dates.)

Sometimes it's not feasible for teachers to meet with all parents. What if the teacher has 100 plus students? This is why we have Synergy, Interims, report cards, etc. Not every parent/student nerds a conference.

That’s true but my kids’ middle school has 2.5 hours of slots of 10 minutes each (8 minutes for parent + 2 minutes for teacher to regroup.) that’s 150 minutes or 15 kids per middle school teacher-it’s no wonder there aren’t enough slots to go around. And no it’s not ok to not meet with all the parents who want to meet. These are half days so the teachers can do PT conferences.

Teacher here. I was just reading a thread on the “jobs and careers” board. Professionals were in agreement that people shouldn’t work over their contracted hours if they aren’t being compensated.

But a teacher? Teachers are expected to sacrifice as much of their own time as necessary.

Let’s talk conferences. At my school, I was given one day for conferences at 15 minute intervals. (I received a 30 minute break mid-day.) Overall, I was able to meet with 20 parents that day out of 104. That’s all the time my school provided.

So all the extra conference requests are happening on my own time in the afternoons and evenings, on top of my 60 hours I already work a week.

I long for a job where my work/life balance is respected.

Many professionals who are exempt work over the hours they are technically required to work. At my nonprofit 60+ hour weeks are typical, and the pay is mediocre. People do it because they are committed to the mission.

And it’s not okay at your nonprofit, either. Why are you comfortable working at a place that demands so much of your time? I am no longer willing to sacrifice my own family or wellbeing for “the mission.”

Teaching is merely a job, and it is no longer getting all my nights and weekends.

It’s the reality of being a professional in an exempt position.

And it's a reality I'm rejecting.

If you list essential tasks in my contract and provide absolutely no time during the work day to get them done, then I no longer will accept that.

I'm pushing back on the requirement that 50% of my job has to be done on my own time. This is why teachers are regularly taken advantage of. I've been at this for 20 years, and I'm comfortable saying I am responsible for 3x the workload I used to have. The list of tasks keeps growing, too, because teachers aren't pushing back. Sure, we're quitting in record numbers. But those of us who remain need to refuse to work around the clock.

And yes, this relates to conferences, as well. If I'm provided time to meet with 15 parents, then that's all I can do. I'm no longer giving up my own time for the district's shortcomings. This is the only way to avoid teacher burnout.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:there aren't even that many slots. my kid's english teacher posted 2.5 hours worth of slots and he must have at least 4 sections of 28 kids each...they're all full.

If they're full, you should contact the teacher for a slot. The teacher should be there long enough (on that day or a different day) to meet anyone who wants a meeting. If you need more than 5 or so minutes, you can ask for a real meeting time. (If the teacher is playing games by doing as you describe, they deserve to have people request longer meetings on various and sundry dates.)

Sometimes it's not feasible for teachers to meet with all parents. What if the teacher has 100 plus students? This is why we have Synergy, Interims, report cards, etc. Not every parent/student nerds a conference.

That’s true but my kids’ middle school has 2.5 hours of slots of 10 minutes each (8 minutes for parent + 2 minutes for teacher to regroup.) that’s 150 minutes or 15 kids per middle school teacher-it’s no wonder there aren’t enough slots to go around. And no it’s not ok to not meet with all the parents who want to meet. These are half days so the teachers can do PT conferences.

Teacher here. I was just reading a thread on the “jobs and careers” board. Professionals were in agreement that people shouldn’t work over their contracted hours if they aren’t being compensated.

But a teacher? Teachers are expected to sacrifice as much of their own time as necessary.

Let’s talk conferences. At my school, I was given one day for conferences at 15 minute intervals. (I received a 30 minute break mid-day.) Overall, I was able to meet with 20 parents that day out of 104. That’s all the time my school provided.

So all the extra conference requests are happening on my own time in the afternoons and evenings, on top of my 60 hours I already work a week.

I long for a job where my work/life balance is respected.

Many professionals who are exempt work over the hours they are technically required to work. At my nonprofit 60+ hour weeks are typical, and the pay is mediocre. People do it because they are committed to the mission.

And it’s not okay at your nonprofit, either. Why are you comfortable working at a place that demands so much of your time? I am no longer willing to sacrifice my own family or wellbeing for “the mission.”

Teaching is merely a job, and it is no longer getting all my nights and weekends.

It’s the reality of being a professional in an exempt position.

And it's a reality I'm rejecting.

If you list essential tasks in my contract and provide absolutely no time during the work day to get them done, then I no longer will accept that.

I'm pushing back on the requirement that 50% of my job has to be done on my own time. This is why teachers are regularly taken advantage of. I've been at this for 20 years, and I'm comfortable saying I am responsible for 3x the workload I used to have. The list of tasks keeps growing, too, because teachers aren't pushing back. Sure, we're quitting in record numbers. But those of us who remain need to refuse to work around the clock.

And yes, this relates to conferences, as well. If I'm provided time to meet with 15 parents, then that's all I can do. I'm no longer giving up my own time for the district's shortcomings. This is the only way to avoid teacher burnout.

+100 And I’m not even a teacher. This is why you see Unions coming back at companies because people are getting tired of everything benefit the corporation and C-Suite but little benefitting everyone else including the customers.

Exempt was supposed to be mean no one had to be worried about the time card as a bit of overtime was expected and similarly a bit of leeway was given if you needed to be gone for a hour here and there. Now, folks seem to believe that workers should do whatever is necessary to get the job done there personal time be damn. If you want that, then pay me a similar salary that you paying the CEO or Superintendent.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:there aren't even that many slots. my kid's english teacher posted 2.5 hours worth of slots and he must have at least 4 sections of 28 kids each...they're all full.

If they're full, you should contact the teacher for a slot. The teacher should be there long enough (on that day or a different day) to meet anyone who wants a meeting. If you need more than 5 or so minutes, you can ask for a real meeting time. (If the teacher is playing games by doing as you describe, they deserve to have people request longer meetings on various and sundry dates.)

Sometimes it's not feasible for teachers to meet with all parents. What if the teacher has 100 plus students? This is why we have Synergy, Interims, report cards, etc. Not every parent/student nerds a conference.

That’s true but my kids’ middle school has 2.5 hours of slots of 10 minutes each (8 minutes for parent + 2 minutes for teacher to regroup.) that’s 150 minutes or 15 kids per middle school teacher-it’s no wonder there aren’t enough slots to go around. And no it’s not ok to not meet with all the parents who want to meet. These are half days so the teachers can do PT conferences.

Teacher here. I was just reading a thread on the “jobs and careers” board. Professionals were in agreement that people shouldn’t work over their contracted hours if they aren’t being compensated.

But a teacher? Teachers are expected to sacrifice as much of their own time as necessary.

Let’s talk conferences. At my school, I was given one day for conferences at 15 minute intervals. (I received a 30 minute break mid-day.) Overall, I was able to meet with 20 parents that day out of 104. That’s all the time my school provided.

So all the extra conference requests are happening on my own time in the afternoons and evenings, on top of my 60 hours I already work a week.

I long for a job where my work/life balance is respected.

Many professionals who are exempt work over the hours they are technically required to work. At my nonprofit 60+ hour weeks are typical, and the pay is mediocre. People do it because they are committed to the mission.

And it’s not okay at your nonprofit, either. Why are you comfortable working at a place that demands so much of your time? I am no longer willing to sacrifice my own family or wellbeing for “the mission.”

Teaching is merely a job, and it is no longer getting all my nights and weekends.

It’s the reality of being a professional in an exempt position.

And it's a reality I'm rejecting.

If you list essential tasks in my contract and provide absolutely no time during the work day to get them done, then I no longer will accept that.

I'm pushing back on the requirement that 50% of my job has to be done on my own time. This is why teachers are regularly taken advantage of. I've been at this for 20 years, and I'm comfortable saying I am responsible for 3x the workload I used to have. The list of tasks keeps growing, too, because teachers aren't pushing back. Sure, we're quitting in record numbers. But those of us who remain need to refuse to work around the clock.

And yes, this relates to conferences, as well. If I'm provided time to meet with 15 parents, then that's all I can do. I'm no longer giving up my own time for the district's shortcomings. This is the only way to avoid teacher burnout.

+100 And I’m not even a teacher. This is why you see Unions coming back at companies because people are getting tired of everything benefit the corporation and C-Suite but little benefitting everyone else including the customers.

Exempt was supposed to be mean no one had to be worried about the time card as a bit of overtime was expected and similarly a bit of leeway was given if you needed to be gone for a hour here and there. Now, folks seem to believe that workers should do whatever is necessary to get the job done there personal time be damn. If you want that, then pay me a similar salary that you paying the CEO or Superintendent.

Thank you, PP!

It’s absolutely unacceptable. Exempt shouldn’t mean “work as many hours as you humanly can without pay.”

I am well aware that I can walk out of my classroom and into an easier job with higher pay. I’m extremely employable. (Before someone says I’m dreaming: I turned down an offer at the start of this school year.) I love teaching, but I detest the expectation that I should sacrifice my own family, home life, and wellbeing because I work in a service profession.

No. Pay me what I am worth, and give me time to get my job done. This isn’t a charity. You have money. Pay me.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Teacher PP, I’m sorry that sucks. I wish mcps could get there you know what together and figure out a better way to support the number of children and families in the school system AND the teachers who are in the trenches so to speak. PTC are important check-ins especially for kids who are struggling in a subject. Maybe there could be some sort of threshold—eg student has a grade of C or lower? [/quote]
Are you sure you're an MCPS teacher?