"If parents are to ‘fit together’ with teachers, and to be an integral part of the processes connected to teaching and learning, it is important to know what knowledge they bring to this relationship. " (Pushor, 2007, p. 9).
Student success is a priority for parents and teachers. Parents are important in children’s lives and sometimes they are not informed at all. It is very important that the parents know and have a view of the path of the children’s improvements or their problems. Anyway, if a parent is not happy and a problem occurs, the teacher and parents must have an open conversation to solve the problems by being understanding and open-minded. The teacher should help lead the parents into understanding their children’s lives at school. The communication with the parents is a must for the student’s improvement. We should try to involve the parents in classes, trips, and appointments as much as possible. Keeping a correspondence on a regular basis with the parents helps us to understand more about the world of the child, which we can use to help us see what we need to work on. A student-led conference is a different version of a traditional parent-teacher interview. The difference is that the student is in charge instead of not being there at all. In this interview it is very evident that the student is in charge. The student lead conference is a recipe for partnership in education. The students, parents and teachers collaborate and have a positive influence on the student’s successes. The main noticeable aspects in the student conference are that the students learn to have a central role in reporting their progress to the parents and informing the parent for their needs, strengths, goals, and developing leadership skills and oral skills. This is a very successful strategy that can be used to open the doors for collaboration between parents, students and teachers, reflecting an educational atmosphere at home. "There is a sense of reciprocity in their mutual engagement, a sense of benefit for families and the school. " (Pushor, 2007, p. 3).
Broadview School Council. (2013, September 8). Meet the teacher night. [Image]. Retrieved March 7, 2014, from http://www.broadviewparents.org/wordpress/meet-the-teacher-night-wed-sept-11/ Pushor, D. (2007). Parent engagement: Creating a shared world. Retrieved March 7, 2014, from http://www.edu.gov.on.ca/eng/research/pushor.pdf Pushor, D. (2007). Parent engagement: Creating a shared world. Retrieved March 7, 2014, from http://www.edu.gov.on.ca/eng/research/pushor.pdf