Parent Teacher Interviews
The following information has been collated by an experienced teacher who has reflected upon her interactions with parents.
Hints and Tips to good Parent Teacher Interviews
Writer: Kel, a secondary teacher in a metropolitan area
Parent teacher interviews are a critical time when students, teachers and parents meet to discuss any issues or concerns that they have for the student. As this is a requirement of being a teacher it is essential that one is prepared.
As a new teacher this experience can be very daunting and if ill prepared an embarrassing one.
Prior to the interview:
- Do as much background research on the student as possible
- Have any assessment item/s prepared and marked to show the parent (where possible with comments to expand on discussion)
- Write notes on all facets of the student in your subject including:
- Achievement level
- Behaviour
- Work ethic
- In class work
- Homework
- Draft work
- Uniform
- On time to class
- For all of the above have evidence you can show the parent(s) (marks in the diary or notebook, examples of draft work)
At the interview:
- Dress professionally
- If unfamiliar with the parent/s, introduce yourself and make them feel welcome
- Have all the work that you have prepared earlier, organised in a folder
- Be early to the interview just in case you need to set anything up
- Be confident in your speech and your demeanour
- Talk to the parent/s about your thoughts on any of the above mentioned material
- Ask the parent/s if they want to discuss anything
- Take notes throughout the interview, especially taking note on anything that needs to be followed up after the interview
After the interview:
- Follow up on anything discussed during the interview
- If you need to phone the parents about anything discussed, do so within 24 hours
If you would like to provided feedback to the QCT or other parent teacher interview resources to assist beginning teachers please us.