Parent Conferences

I just got home from my last Parent-Teacher Conferences. Actually, after I got home, I found a tumbler filled with ice, then watched a really trippy episode of The Simpsons.

I have always hated Conferences, before they took place. After they are over, however, I think they are the greatest thing. I got to meet with some really great parents--especially interesting were parents of children who recently immigrated to the United States. One from Sweden, and one from Harbin, China. Amazing kids, and really cool parents. Both here less than two years, and both students are light years ahead of most of my American students.

There were a few that it was good to see--these were the students that needed a "poke with the sharp stick of reality." The folks and I plotted and schemed to make sure that this happened.

Of course, I am also a curve raiser--I called several sets of parents to let them know that I had time available, and would appreciate it if they came by. Two took me up on my invitation and scheduled appointments, and a third dropped in.

Over all, it was a good evening. Will I miss these? No. Are they valuable? Yes. If every parent paid this much attention, we would have few problems.