Parents Evening – Every Teacher’s Nightmare! #MondayBlogs

06 Nov 2017 75 Comments

by Ritu in Children, Thoughts Opinions & Memories Tags: , , , , , ,

Today I am about to embark on my first ever Parents Evening!

Yes, I’ve been teaching for a few years now, and I have the experience of talking one to one to parents, but in our nursery the parents meetings are held differently.

I have attended them as a parent, obviously, and on occasion I have been asked ot hang around to do some translations for Punjabi speaking parents, but never have I been the one to sit on the other side of the desk… never have I been the one that parents look to expectantly, for good reports of their child.

This year, being in one of the main school classes for two days a week qualifies me to have to attend the proper big event… two evenings where appointments have been made with the parents of our students, to discuss their progress.

Each child has a 10 minute slot – God help me, I find shutting up a problem, and now I have a time limit. I think I need a timer and buzzer to stop me over sharing!

It’ll be a long day for us, until gone 7 pm tonight, and a little shorter finishing at 6 pm tomorrow.

But this means that everything we would usually do at the end of the school day can’t get done, so after getting home, there will be a lot of tired teachers hurriedly marking books, and ensuring the next day’s preparation is done, before collapsing into bed.

What to eat? Well for the late one tonight, our dear Headteacher has arranged for food for us all to eat after it finishes.

I’m a little nervous.

It’s really hard to look a parent in the eye and tell them things they may not want to hear.

But it is a pleasure to give them positive feedback!

It’s tough to stay calm when parents try to tell you how to do your job.

Though it is wonderful for the ego when they say how much they enjoy coming to school to be in your class!

And you can guarantee that you will hear, several times, when you mention a child’s good behaviour in school – “Really? He/she’s a nightmare at home! Oh well, I’m glad he/she behaves here, anyway!”

Still, this is another task to tick off my Teacher’s Bucket List!

Wish me luck – and the strength to get through it!

Have a great Monday Peeps!

75 Comments (+add yours?)

  1. Adventures of a New Floridian
    Nov 13, 2017 @ 07:12:48

    Best of luck to you Ritu! Although, I’m certain you won’t need it! 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  2. fattymccupcakes
    Nov 12, 2017 @ 18:24:07

    It’s always really interesting to me to learn how other countries do things when it comes to education. It sounds like your parent night is what we call conferences. We let the kids out early in order to schedule conferences with parents. We usually go for longer each parent, though-20 minutes. This last round of conferences, I never left school later than 4. We do a back to school night, where we stay late to welcome parents to our classroom. It’s more of a general information night and not for individual students. I bet you’ll do awesome!

    Liked by 1 person

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  3. Lisa Orchard
    Nov 12, 2017 @ 13:55:01

    Good luck on Monday, but you don’t need it, you’ll do great! 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  4. susielindau
    Nov 12, 2017 @ 13:39:06

    I bet it’s hard when you have to deliver bad news to unsuspecting parents!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  5. Lucy Mitchell
    Nov 12, 2017 @ 09:35:50

    Great post Ritu. It is good to read something about the ‘other side of the desk’ at parents evening.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  6. thebeasley
    Nov 12, 2017 @ 08:57:01

    Am I right in thinking you didn’t get to do this in the end? What a shame, but hopefully next time. I always feel a tad sorry for the teachers during parents evening. I know they work so hard & they always look so tired during the appointments. I’m typically British in that I don’t like to keep them talking for too long & don’t like to bother them with too many questions ha.

    Liked by 1 person

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  7. Judy E Martin
    Nov 07, 2017 @ 19:21:12

    I have only just read this after the update!!! I am sorry you didn’t get the chance at parent’s evening. Although it sounds daunting, I have no doubt that it can be rewarding too. Maybe next time Sis xx

    Liked by 1 person

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  8. Jennie
    Nov 07, 2017 @ 10:58:17

    I’m late on this one Ritu, as I read it was cancelled. When the meeting happens, the best advice I ever got is to start with a complement about the child, and then ask them a question, like “What do you see at home?” The rest begins to flow after that.

    Liked by 1 person

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  9. Erika Kind
    Nov 06, 2017 @ 19:15:53

    Every first time has its stage-fright. But I am sure you are doing great. Once you started your nervousness will fade.

    Liked by 1 person

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  10. Charli Mills
    Nov 06, 2017 @ 18:21:53

    It’s like performance night for teachers! Good luck, Ritu! And if I were in your position, I’d need a timer, too. 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  11. robbiesinspiration
    Nov 06, 2017 @ 17:54:18

    Good luck, Ritu.

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply

  12. Annette Rochelle Aben
    Nov 06, 2017 @ 16:06:48

    You got this! Just remember, that every child HAD a GOOD SIDE and every parent needs confirmation. After all, they have to live with that child 24/7. I suppose a parent needs all the encouragement not to sell their child, as possible.

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply

    • Ritu
      Nov 06, 2017 @ 17:33:24

      Oh God I know that feeling… I’ve often erred on the side of listing mine on EBay . … then I remember how hard it was to have them… so I decide they’ll do!

      Liked by 2 people

      Reply

  13. Aimer Boyz
    Nov 06, 2017 @ 15:54:27

    Good luck, Ritu. ☺

    Liked by 1 person

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  14. joey
    Nov 06, 2017 @ 15:43:06

    You will do fine. I know this because I always did fine, and you’re more people-y and far more sweet than I! You got this! 😀

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  15. syl65
    Nov 06, 2017 @ 14:42:16

    Sending you good vibes Sister and energy for the long haul!

    Liked by 1 person

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  16. colinandray
    Nov 06, 2017 @ 13:38:10

    My golden rule in any situation that involves good and not so good news, is to present them exactly as that… but always finish with the good stuff!

    “Well little Jimmy can certainly be a challenge in class. He is often quite disruptive but, he clearly has a love of (?) and is very creative.” How did I do as a non-teacher? 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

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  17. charlypriest
    Nov 06, 2017 @ 12:57:14

    Good luck, you should write about how it went later on, it should be interesting.

    Liked by 1 person

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  18. angelanoelauthor
    Nov 06, 2017 @ 12:51:28

    I always wonder what the teacher is thinking as I sit across from him or her! I want so much to hear the good stuff, but need to hear the tough things to. I love when a teacher offers me advice on ways to take the efforts of the classroom home. And I think every parent should go out of his or her way to say THANK YOU.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  19. Lisa A.
    Nov 06, 2017 @ 12:46:54

    I’m sure it will be fine, Ritu. I’m so glad I’ve never had issues with my son’s teachers. They’ve usually said he behaves very well, he’s always so quiet. Yeah right on the quiet part. He’s just like me it’s scary sometimes. Lol. 🤗🍵☕🍷🍰

    Liked by 1 person

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  20. Norah Colvin
    Nov 06, 2017 @ 12:26:57

    I hope it all went well. If I’d known earlier, I would have offered some suggestions. Never be afraid to ask. I’m happy to help if I can. 😊

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  21. OIKOS™-Redaktion
    Nov 06, 2017 @ 10:40:24

    Reblogged this on Die Erste Eslarner Zeitung – Aus und über Eslarn, sowie die bayerisch-tschechische Region!.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  22. Anindya
    Nov 06, 2017 @ 10:22:23

    Wish you all the best……everything will come out fine..:)

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  23. shelleywilson72
    Nov 06, 2017 @ 07:57:18

    Good luck! You could treat it like speed dating and ring a bell every ten minutes so the parents move on haha 😉

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  24. Osyth
    Nov 06, 2017 @ 07:07:27

    You don’t need luck… you’ll be brilliant but I do wish you strength in the face of the less easy meetings, I wish you smiles when you feel yours wearing thin and I wish you chocolate to sustain you through the long day 😊

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  25. Michael
    Nov 06, 2017 @ 05:46:22

    Good luck Ritu…having attended many PT nights over the years I recall one parent of a child who we might say ‘struggled’; at school.After fronting several of her son’s teachers and receiving pretty much the same negative reports on him she fronted the final teacher on her list and before the poor teacher could open his mouth she burst into tears pleading for the teacher to say anything but negative things about her son. It was then the teacher was struck dumb!!

    Liked by 1 person

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    • Ritu
      Nov 06, 2017 @ 07:01:53

      It must be hard to have to hear negative things from everyone! I remember when I was told that Lil Man may have some additional needs, and that they wanted to do some more investigations… that was tough enough, hearing that from several teachers, but the negative, as in bad behaviour, or that a child is not able to cope…it is heartbreaking for any consciencious parent… You need that one positive to hold on to too…

      Liked by 1 person

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  26. IreneDesign2011
    Nov 06, 2017 @ 05:29:32

    Wish you all good luck, Ritu 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  27. pranabaxom
    Nov 06, 2017 @ 05:05:03

    Been there, done that and now it is over.

    Liked by 1 person

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