Student-Led Conferences (without the student)

I love the idea of Student-Led Conferences and the responsibility and ownership that comes with it. Our campus hasn't moved to that yet. But with Parent/Teacher Conferences coming up next week, I knew I wanted some way for students' voice to play apart of our conference. I wanted them to be able to reflect and communicate with their parents about their strengths, goals they are working on, behavior, and what they have accomplished so far this year.

I came up with a Reflection sheet for students to create beforehand that I will share with parents on the day of Parent/Teacher Conferences. 

(Click the picture to grab a copy.)

This template is in Google Drawing so students will be able to add their own creative touches as well. You can also edit for the content you teach. For the QR code, you can have students share via Flipgrid or Vocaroo and then create a QR to insert. 

My students are used to self-reflection, but if yours are not I would suggest talking about the importance of true self-reflection. Help them to realize you can't learn and grow if you think you have no areas for growth. 

I'm excited for students to reflect and communicate with their parents and for the parents to hear from their child in this way.  I believe students will leave this activity with greater confidence in what they are doing each day and parents will learn how they can better support their child at home.

How do you involve/allow student voice during Parent Teacher Conferences?

Are You Too Comfortable?

As I was recording my parent video last week, I realized I was still a bit uncomfortable to send these out each week. Then, I met a dad of a student this week for the first time. I introduced myself, but he said, "Mrs. Hartzler, I already feel like I know you from your videos. Thank you." That's exactly one reason I send a video, so parents can see and hear me. I will continue to be "uncomfortable" as I send these videos because it is worth it. This made me think what else am I doing that makes me uncomfortable because this is where I know I grow. 

As educators, I believe we have to continue to push ourselves past our comfort zone. We often get stuck in doing what we are comfortable with even if it is not what's best for our students or what they need this year. 

Here are a few things that help me get "Uncomfortable":

1.) Write down your goals- 

What do you want to accomplish? What makes you nervous? What have you been thinking about doing/trying? I love being able to check something off that I have been wanting to try.

Here are a few things that are on my "uncomfortable" list:

*I'm presenting at TCCA on Saturday. 

*Writing and hitting publish on this blog

*Leading a staff book study

2 of the 3 I'm am doing, and the third is being discussed. 

2.) Have a growth mindset- 

Knowing you may fail or you may encounter bumps along the way, helps it not be as scary and know it is ok. Be willing to try and share your failures along with your successes. I often share my failures with my students and what I am learning in the process. It makes it easier for them to take risks if I am open and honest about mine.

3.) Find a #PLN, mentor, friend to encourage you and hold you accountable-

It is always helpful to have someone you can talk to, ask questions, reflect with, collaborate with, laugh or even cry with. Email or message me if you need someone, I'd love to be the one to walk along side you!

4.) Just go for it- 

I could always find reasons to talk myself out of doing something that makes me nervous, so sometimes I just have to do it. Take the first step, hit publish for the first time, record the video, try a new strategy, just go for it!

5.) Reflect-

Reflection is key. It helps us to process what happened, make adjustments, and become more confident in ourselves. 

It is never easy, but the more you become uncomfortable, the easier it becomes. The great thing about educators becoming uncomfortable is that we can learn from one another and become better. When I see others being uncomfortable, then I too, want to be uncomfortable. 

Please share what you are doing or want to do that makes you uncomfortable. I want to learn and grow from YOU!