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After 15 years in education, Back-to-School Night still makes me nervous.

I guess it’s the idea of meeting parents for the first time and being in front of a different audience than what I experience daily with my students. Should I be nervous? What do parents want from me? What do administrators want? How should I approach this night?

After the night is over, I say to myself, “See, that wasn’t so bad.” But, after giving a series of five minute presentations, as parents rotate through their child’s schedules, I still have to ask myself: “I’m I addressing the concerns of parents?”

What are parents are looking for?

More often than not, the parents that come to Back-to-School Night simply want information about you and your class.

Many want to meet you in person and find out for themselves if you match up to the stories that their child has given them over the dinner table. In the five minutes or so of my presentation, parents want to be reassured that I care about my profession and their child. Do they get the feeling that I’m simply counting down the days to retirement? Does it seem to them that I have expertise in my subject area and that I know how to manage my class?

Before school last year I meet with one parent who needed a textbook for their child in my AP World History class. The first question that he asked me is, “How long have you been teaching this class?” An AP class is an investment for parents, they have to pay fees and buy a college level textbook for their child. If their child does well on the AP exam at the end of the year they can earn college credit. Obviously this parent was wondering if his investment was worth it.

Many times the parents who stay after my presentation to talk to me want me to know something specific about their child. It may be that their child has a 504 or an IEP and they need extra help. I need to remind myself to be attentive to this discussion. More likely than not, elements of this conversation will come up again in Parent-Teacher Conferences or in an 504/ IEP annual review meeting.   

For more on 'What to do at Back-to-School Night' from the parent's point of view check out this article from Great Schools.org

What are administrators are looking for?

Back-to-School Night is a big deal for administrators and principals.

They see it as one of the moments to make a good impression on the school community. Most principals will push the custodial staff to make sure that the school is neat and clean because this night is as much of a reflection on them as well as teachers. They will be expecting teachers to be in their rooms on time and ready to address parents. Sloppily dressed faculty and teachers who are late will stick in the back of their minds.

More than one administrator has told me to have something to handout to parents.

In the ongoing effort to have a paperless classroom, I think this is a waste of time and paper especially if I’m handing out the same syllabus that I gave to my students day one.

Again, parents want information. If you have to handout anything to parents make it a ½ sheet of paper with the title: “How your child can be successful in my class.” Then ask yourself, “If only every student were able to ____________ then they will succeed in my class.” For example, is there a way for parents and students to monitor their progress on-line?

I would also put my website and email information as well as links to relevant and important websites that better informs parents. For an AP class for example, I would put the website to the College Board.org so parents can find out about which colleges accept AP credit, study tips, and so on.

Showing parents how to monitor their child’s progress or find relevant information without emailing you first will save you valuable time.

What should you as a teacher be looking for?

“You never get a second chance to make a first impression.”

This saying holds true to Back-to-School Night. We all naturally make judgments about people that we meet for the first time. Parents are no exception.

What will they be thinking of me and my class when they sit down to wait for my presentation to start? Is my room picked up and presentable? Does it reflect a constructive learning environment?  If I have text written on my chalkboard, is it spelled correctly? Am I dressed in a way that will convey respect from parents?

When you see someone and you think, “Wow this person has it together and seems to have authority and know what they’re doing,” what does that look like?

Use Back-to-School Night as your moment to “shine”.

Back-to-School Night is typically not the time to have an in-depth conversation with parents.

Instead if a parent approaches you about a student who you are struggling with or with their child in general, ask them to leave you an email or a number and get back to them within a few days. Having a parent on your side will pay huge dividends if you encounter discipline problems with their child later.   

Finally, use this time to explain and reaffirm your classroom policies and expectations to parents.

How often do you assign homework? What is your late work policy? Where can a student get make up work if they miss several days of school? Having a clear plan and visualizing how a successful Back-to-School Night will work will diminish those nervous feelings at the start of the night.

In the end, Back-to-School Night is more than a meet-and-greet. It’s a time for parents to put a name with a face and to know that you care about their child. It’s a time to show off the school. It is a time to reaffirm the high expectations that you have in your classroom and to convey your belief that all students can learn. 

Bret Thayer currently teaches World and European History with 15 years of classroom experience and is passionate about helping other teachers and students reach their highest potential.