Parent Conferences: Day 1

Actually, parent conferences are great fodder for blog posts. They are quite inspiring.  Unlike many teachers, I love parent conferences.  It's the one time when I get to sit down and really get to know my students. Parents share things about their children and how they behave at home - things I might not otherwise find out. I enjoy getting to know my kids as people, and I enjoy getting to know their parents.

I schedule long conferences, comparatively speaking.  I don't know how you can truly discuss - in depth - a child's progress in just 15 minutes.  There are so many factors that influence a child's success at school, and all of them need to be explored.  I have completed 7 out of 8 conferences scheduled for today.  Here is just a sampling of the topics that were discussed or the issues that were brought up.

1. Malcolm's father got the day wrong and didn't show up.  He had requested an appointment time that wasn't even available, so I'm not surprised.  Malcolm is a little out there too.  Oh well...
   
2. Jimmy's mother had been told to give him Ritalin ever since Kindergarten, because he was "squirmy" and "hyper."  He acts like a normal, energetic eight-year old boy as far as I'm concerned.  He has been weaned off of Ritalin and the depressive nature of his personality has disappeared.  He is bright, alert and doing well.  Mom is amazed that I'm not complaining about his behavior.
   
3. Jeanette had struggled in math since Kindergarten.  I discovered that her second grade teacher never did calendar activities, which are intended to teach the base ten model of our numbering system.  After I filled in this critical missing link, her math scores are now consistently above 80%.  Mom and Dad are thrilled.
   
4. Melissa's aunt and uncle were killed in a car accident just a few days ago.  I'm surprised she was still in school, but her family has an incredible work ethic.  She'll be out for the funerals for just one day. Dad was very emotional at the conference, but little Melissa seemed to be doing okay.
   
5. Lindsay doesn't pay attention in class and is boy crazy.  She's always in the mix when it comes to classroom drama.  Last week, she was caught drawing pictures of people's rear ends during a math lesson.  Mom said that she got a serious paddling for that one. I smiled. I'm from the "spare the rod" generation.
   
6. Mark was a victim of the system and was returned to first grade.  He was an excellent student in Kindergarten, but had an incompetent teacher in first grade. His teacher was in terrible pain from a neck injury, and he hated his job.  He was often out sick and his substitute teachers weren't consistent. Most of the students in his class came out with minimal skills.  Mark's second-grade teacher sent him back to first grade for another year. Mark is one of my best students.
   
7. Christina's father is concerned that she may be being molested by her mother's live-in boyfriend.  Now, I have to keep a close eye on her, because teachers are mandated reporters of child abuse. She is quiet, withdrawn, and seems sad all of the time, so it is a concern.
   
8. I had a phone conference at 6:00 p.m. with Lenny's parents. He's a great kid who made Honor Roll.  It was the easiest one of the day...