Parent-teacher conferences are a valuable occasion to share insights and information about your daughter and participate in her education. By mid-October you, the teacher and your daughter all have a better understanding of her strengths as they relate to her courses. As conferences approach, you might want to do your homework in gathering information that will make the time with her teachers more productive:

• Are there patterns in your daughter's school work that offer insights into what works well for her and how she learns?  Where are her likely stumbling blocks to learning; what has proved troublesome in the past?  Are some kinds of assignments (such as writing or presentations) more difficult than others? Are there some relevant problems from her previous school years (long-term projects, easily distracted) or any new struggles you see emerging? Better yet, have you noticed improvement in areas that used to be difficult?
• Is there a classroom strategy previous teachers have used that helped your daughter be successful?
• What is your daughter saying about her academics or her relationships with her teacher and classmates that would be helpful for the teacher to know? Is there anything that your daughter would like you to ask or cover at the conference?  

Since time at conferences is limited, it is helpful to select the most important points you’d like to discuss with the teacher; take some notes with you if that is helpful.  Remember that teachers can always be reached by email and can meet with parents for a scheduled follow-up appointment if necessary. Our Counseling Department can also be a helpful resource for answers to questions and to address special needs.

Conferences are a time when teachers and parents can collaborate and share in the education of the young women at St. Mary’s Academy.  It is a partnership between you as experts on your daughters and teachers as professionals in their field.