I did and still do - and agree with the two previous posters that it is important for teachers to realize that there is a parent interested in the student's education, as well as to share issues (from both directions). Also as a POC, I have experienced too many teachers (of all races) responding to questions (instead of emails languishing in a black hole) after meeting DH or me.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Yes. Firstly, I love hearing that other people can see how awesome my kid is, just like I do. Secondly, it's important for teachers to know parents care about their kids by showing up. It's once or twice a year - not a big time commitment.

We don’t think I that. Although I would love to have the time to sit and chat with all of the parents, we teach over 130 students each. Even if half want conferences you can imagine how much time this takes. I’m a math teacher and parents often want to see me or ask simple questions that could be answered in email. Most often, they want to be assured that their 14 yo will be in the most advanced math class senior year. I can’t answer that.

Teachers often talk about how we don’t understand why so many parents with kids with As feel the need to schedule these. Usually well over half want to see the math teachers at my high SES school.

Because we care deeply about our kids’ education. And we were told it was a partnership.

We were told that too. And then administrators didn’t give us the time to actually meet with the 60+ families that want to meet with us. I asked for an admin day for our department since we get so many requests and was told no. We should find the time on our time since we still have mandatory meetings during planning blocks.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Yes. Firstly, I love hearing that other people can see how awesome my kid is, just like I do. Secondly, it's important for teachers to know parents care about their kids by showing up. It's once or twice a year - not a big time commitment.

We don’t think I that. Although I would love to have the time to sit and chat with all of the parents, we teach over 130 students each. Even if half want conferences you can imagine how much time this takes. I’m a math teacher and parents often want to see me or ask simple questions that could be answered in email. Most often, they want to be assured that their 14 yo will be in the most advanced math class senior year. I can’t answer that.

Teachers often talk about how we don’t understand why so many parents with kids with As feel the need to schedule these. Usually well over half want to see the math teachers at my high SES school.

Because we care deeply about our kids’ education. And we were told it was a partnership.

Anonymous wrote:Yes. Firstly, I love hearing that other people can see how awesome my kid is, just like I do. Secondly, it's important for teachers to know parents care about their kids by showing up. It's once or twice a year - not a big time commitment.

We don’t think I that. Although I would love to have the time to sit and chat with all of the parents, we teach over 130 students each. Even if half want conferences you can imagine how much time this takes. I’m a math teacher and parents often want to see me or ask simple questions that could be answered in email. Most often, they want to be assured that their 14 yo will be in the most advanced math class senior year. I can’t answer that.

Teachers often talk about how we don’t understand why so many parents with kids with As feel the need to schedule these. Usually well over half want to see the math teachers at my high SES school.

Our MS let us know the conferences are by invite only this year. Ie - if there’s an issue. So, no. But 11 years into MCPS, it would be nice if a teacher ever volunteered feedback. We’re invisible.

As a middle school teacher, no one requests conferences when kids are doing well. I have 135 kids--while I wish I could find 5 minutes to talk to each family, the reality is that's 11.25, or two full work days, and we all know conferences never last 5 minutes. The only conferences I have are when kids are struggling.

What I do often do for kids who are doing fine is respond to emails asking for a check in. "Hi, this is Johnny's mom. From my end it looks like everything is going smoothly in class--can you confirm what you are seeing on your end? Is he turning in work on time and paying attention during class? Is there anything we can encourage him to work on from at home?" That email can be fired off during my passing period or while kids are testing.

No. In fact, a message sent from one of my 6th grader’s teachers indicated that the conferences are for discussing specific issues, and if you need more than 5 minutes to discuss something please request a meeting for some other time. Those MS “conferences” are virtually useless. I don’t know why the schools bother with them.

Anonymous wrote:Yes. Firstly, I love hearing that other people can see how awesome my kid is, just like I do. Secondly, it's important for teachers to know parents care about their kids by showing up. It's once or twice a year - not a big time commitment.

+1

Absolutely. I learn more about my kid through conferences, and, like another poster said, the teacher knows there is someone at home who is paying attention.

Yes. Firstly, I love hearing that other people can see how awesome my kid is, just like I do. Secondly, it's important for teachers to know parents care about their kids by showing up. It's once or twice a year - not a big time commitment.

We did last year the first round because we had questions. I would not sign up just to say hi.

Nope. I stopped in middle school when conferences became pointless (APS). If there was a particular problem I would meet with teachers individually.

I have seen way too many teachers on social media whine about conferences to want to do it. If I had something to discuss I'd make an appointment when it came up (if that happened to be around PTCs I'd do it then, of course).

But I did that only once when it was a teacher who was terrible at organization and communication. I've never had another issue that couldn't be taken care of via email.

I don’t. The only time I’ve done this when things are going well is if there is something important I need to discuss. For example, a quick heads up that we are changing meds or that a close relative is really sick and let us know if there are any behavior changes.

7th grader is by all accounts doing fine in middle school - getting all work in on time, earning good grades, no social issues, etc.
Is there any reason to sign up for teacher conferences? I'd welcome the chance to meet her teachers (at least virtually) and get a little insight into her school day, but doing so seems like it would a bit of an obnoxious waste of their time when they have so many other students.