Ep 104: Ace Your Progress Conferences

In this enlightening episode of New Teacher Talk, Dr. Monica Boehle, NBCT, provides invaluable strategies for early career teachers on how to effectively prepare for and conduct progress conferences with students and their caregivers. The conversation centers around the significance of gathering student reflections, showcasing grade-level work exemplars, maintaining focused discussions, meticulous note-taking, and following up on action items post-conference.

Key Takeaways:

• Gathering Student Reflections: Importance of collecting insights from students about their learning journey.
• Exemplars of Grade-Level Work: Utilizing student work samples to illustrate expected standards and achievement.
• Focusing the Conversation: Strategies to keep discussions centered on student progress and goals.
• Note-Taking: The value of documenting key points during the conference for future reference and follow-up.
• Action Steps: Follow through on identified next steps to support student learning and development.

Resources:

• Student to Grown Up Letter: A tool for facilitating student reflections and fostering their voice in the conference process.
• Student Conference Agenda Sheet: An effective resource for organizing notes and ensuring comprehensive discussions during conferences.

Goals:
The primary objective is to establish strong collaborative partnerships with caregivers that enhance student learning by recognizing individual progress, strengths, and areas for improvement.

Keywords:
Progress Conferences, Student Reflections, Exemplars, Note-Taking, Action Steps, Collaborative Partnerships, Early Career Teachers, Student Voice, Teaching Strategies.