Resources >> Browse Articles >> Partnering with Parents
Making the Most of Back to School Night
Featured Author:
Victor Lana
Victor Lana is a native of New York City, where he has studied acting, writing, and literature. He received a doctorate in English from St. John's University, New York, and has taught at every level in education. Many of his stories and articles have been published in print and online magazines. He has authored A Death in Prague (2002), Move (2003) and The Savage Quiet September Sun: A Collection of 9/11 Stories. His new novel, Like a Passing Shadow is now available. Please check out his blog here.
More articles from this author:
Victor Lana | TheApple.com
Most schools hold a “Back to School” or “Meet the Teacher” night during the first few weeks of the year. If you are like most teachers, this occasion is about as appealing as scratching your nails across a blackboard. Still, if you approach this evening the right way, it can set the tone for the entire school year and put you on the right track for years to come.
Over the years, I have seen many teachers grinding their teeth over the prospect of this night, and sometimes with good reason. Parents have come to expect more and more from teachers, and I have heard some wish that they could spin some plates in the air while making the presentation, or perhaps use the old smoke and mirrors routine, but that will not get you too far no matter how hard you try.
The best approach to this evening is to take it seriously. Number one, you are the professional in the room speaking about what you know best. Take pride in the fact that you have been well-prepared to be an educator, and do not let the parent (who may also be a teacher) rattle you. Remember, he or she has to go through this too, so keep that in mind and proceed accordingly.
These affairs sometimes begin in the big auditorium and can include the school board and the PTA. Everyone wants to get into the act, so to speak, on this first night because historically speaking, this is the most attended event of the year. The school board wants everyone to hear its message; the PTA wants to get new members and volunteers for various events, and then the principal will get his/her turn to address the audience. At the end of all this activity, the principal will probably introduce the faculty. This is your moment to stand, turn to the crowd, and wave or smile or whatever.
Ask a Teacher
Looking to enter the education? Are you a job-seeker? Then check out the Ask a Teacher Forum where you can learn from and connect with people just like you.
After this awkward moment, teachers will run off to their rooms and the parents will start to follow. As a school principal, I usually set-up a series of sessions (usually fifteen minutes long), in order for parents with multiple children to meet all the teachers. The schedule for sessions should be handed-out, and then you are ready for your command performance.
Prior to this night, you have already prepared your classroom. It must be bright, filled with examples of student work, and also display pertinent matter for your subject area or grade. In many schools, state standards are important, and you could have a display showing the standards or have them posted on a bulletin board. Also make sure that classroom rules and anything else you want parents to see is placed in a good viewing location.
peterpappas
2 months ago
4 comments
As a HS social studies teacher I did 25 years of Parents' nights. For the first few years I stood up there and talked at them. Then I realized i wasn't modeling my student-centered classroom. So instead at Parent's night I switched to giving them sample questions at different levels of Blooms to give them an idea of how I was moving their kids to higher level thinking skills. It worked much better and I got great response from Parent's who got rather bored listening to a night of teachers talking at them