Too Early for Confrontation

On Sept. 13, the first parent teacher conferences of the year happened. Some students love having their parents and teachers talk and get to know each other better, while others wish they didn’t meet so soon. Most teachers look forward to discussing their student’s achievements with their parents and being able to know their student’s family. Although, having parent teacher conferences so early in the year can have some controversy.

“I do think that we should have parent teacher conferences early because a lot happens right away and anything that we as teachers think needs improvement we can talk to their parents before it gets too late. If you wait till the end of the first quarter to have conferences and to have those talks it is just too late and a whole quarter of the year is gone before you have those conversations,” explained Amanda Sauer, Spanish teacher.

Although many teachers enjoy these early conferences some students don’t think that they are necessary.

“No I do not believe that we need conferences so early, because class has just started and most students don’t do good at first because we are trying to get used to the schedule. We need time to get ourselves together.” said Grace Brown, 10.

Teachers probably don’t know some students as well at the beginning of the year. Freshman and new students to the district don’t have as close enough relationships with their teachers as many other students have from previous years.

“One of the things that makes early conferences a little bit tricky is that I haven’t really gotten a chance to know that students yet as well as I do after the first quarter, but I feel that I spend enough time with them in my classes interactive enough that i know enough to at least make some good judgement calls at conferences,” said Sauer.

Although some teachers think that it is hard to talk to parents about their freshman kids early in the year is hard some think that it can help them.

“I think it helps the freshman especially because a lot of times their parents are unaware of what is going on and so the september conferences kind of give them a jumpstart of getting their kid back on track academically,” said Kerri Rodden, English teacher.

Whether this event is loved or dreaded, the early parent teacher conference can benefit students in many ways.