Junior High Students In Charge of Their Parent-Teacher Conferences
by Linda Koehler
February 20, 2009
On the evening of February 10, the Heartland junior high had a
chance to show their parents first hand what they have been
learning and doing throughout the school year at student-led
conferences. The students are in charge of the conference and they
spend the 20 minute meeting showing their parents different
projects and assignments from each of their classes. Their homeroom
teacher is there for support and the teacher begins the conference
by explaining the philosophy behind student-led conferences, but
from that point on the student goes through the assignments and
projects and explains them to their parents.
Here are some comments from students about their student-led
conference experience:
What did you like best about your student-led conference?
- I liked how you were with your parents and you could just be
yourself and express your ideas.
- The positive comments
- That you get to know what your strengths and weaknesses are from
your teachers
- That you were in charge instead of the teachers
- I liked how you could show your parents your best work and see
the proud looks on their faces.
- I like that my parents actually get the time to see what I do in
school.
- Getting to show all the good grades I have on the papers I
did.
- It was fun being “in charge”.
What did you learn about yourself through the process of doing
student-led conferences?
-That I do good in school, but I still need to work on some
things.
- That I have the potential to be a leader.
- My parents are proud that I am doing ok in school.
- I learned what teachers like about me.
- That when I try hard I can do well.
- That I can be myself because my teachers see me who I am.
How did you feel about being in charge of your conference?
- I like that you get to talk about things the way you see
them.
- I felt good because then I didn’t have to listen to a
conversation between my parents and my teachers talk about me.
- It makes you feel special kind like you’re the teacher for 25
minutes.
- I felt nervous and important.
- I felt confident telling my mom instead of a teacher telling
her.
- I like it because it makes you feel in charge.
- It was fun because I got to tell my mom what I do and I really
liked showing my mom my art projects.
Junior High Students In Charge of Their Parent-Teacher Conferences
| Date | Subject | Posted by: |
|---|---|---|
| 02/23/2009 | To all 7th and 8th students and teachers. You did a great job at your conferences. Teachers thanks for all your hard work setting up the guidelines and preparing the students. | Blaine Friesen bfriesen@esu6.org Heartland Community Schools Principal |
