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My favorite is when a parent calls in the middle of the day then is surprised I can’t talk. Sorry, I’m busy teaching your child!
I had a grandparent do this. Her daughter had passed away and she came in the middle of the day and wanted me to have basically a whole IEP meeting with her in the office. I explained to her that I had a class to teach and I'd be happy to schedule an appointment with her to discuss her granddaughter. She never talked to me again. Bless the girls heart a distant uncle adopted her and treats her better than she'd been treated her entire life.
Chief
We just celebrate if parents show up.
"I'm sorry my calendar doesn't show you scheduled an appointment at this time."
Don’t even say, “I’m sorry.” Use “unfortunately “ instead. I’m personally finished with saying I’m sorry unless I’m in the wrong.
At my school they would not get in to talk to us. Without an appointment out secretary turns themselves away.
Yes! Of course...Don’t know about “ little house on the prairie.”
Rising Star
Our conferences are are virtual so they can’t just show up.
Ours are also virtual. I had a parent the other day that kept saying "we'll just come up and have a conference." 🤔 I kept trying to interject and tell him that he'd have to make an appointment and that it would be virual but he wouldn't stop talking long enough for me to do so. I just said ok, thanks so much and we hung up lol.
If I can, I'll see them, if I can't, I'll tell them so. No issues there.
After a parent missed the conference I asked the student what happened. She said her mother commented that she had “stuff to do”…. I was glad to hear that since I never have any “stuff” to do myself.
Do you have teacher to give you an out? Text codes are great. Text your favorite teacher code ____ which means come to my room and make up some random meeting that you’re about to be late for.
Or just tell them in writing and hand them a schedule when they show up.
At my school parent almost never show up so, when they contact me in any form, I thank them for being a partner in their child’s education.
I agree with this, I have had issues with boundaries with certain parents in the past and I am very careful to lock my door and not sit where they can see me through the door. This, of course, was when parents were allowed in the building.
It is perfectly reasonable to say that you are not available. I have even told parents before that want to have a phone conference at 7:45pm (asking at 7:30pm) that 15 minutes is not enough time to be advanced notice, I am at home and have my own personal business to attend to, and that if they won't tell me their concerns ahead of time, then I can't know if I even have the information gathered to answer their questions.
Most of the time their jobs do not allow them to come at the appointment set time that they had planned
I use calendly and parents set up their own time. Way easier, I would never go back to paper notices. I set up available times and time length...give them the link..and vua-lah! My schedule is automatically entered on my google calendar, they get an email confirmation and reminder, and its that easy. (There are usually still that average of 2 that I have to sign up..but I assign them after my deadlibe passes and they get an email notice.)
For some reason when they pick the time they are more reliable to show up (but sometimes things happen and they need to reschedule..but thats part of the job!)
Calendly.com
Are all of your parents really that connected? Lucky! We have a similar system, but I teach English learners and only a few of their parents are tech ‘literate’.
Rising Star
We post a schedule on our door. They can see you are already with people.
You’re right, simply remind them what the policy is for scheduling a conference. Remind them that unscheduled conferences takes away from the students learning time. Give them your conference schedule days & times. Wish them a great day & continue forth with yours. Good Luck! (There will always be a parent that we have been unsuccessful at trying to reach that we decide to meet with, but it’s at your discretion.)
I welcome my parents to stop by anytime. I want them to see what we do In class
Be happy they came, make them wait!
Chief
Cali HS1- I love your response. I completely understand that this is an inconvenience but, this has been a HIGHLY inconvenient 2years in so many ways. If we can, let’s show some grace. If we’re available, give a few minutes …it might be the only few minutes that parent has. If we’re not available it’s not with our control.
Rising Star
We have a door parents have to buzz if they want in the building. Unless we notify her she says we are busy and to leave a message. If that odd parent gets through at the end of the day, I will met with them until 3:30. At that time I tell them I have a big dog at home that needs me to get home. If they need additional time, I tell them when our team can met with them.
We still have a land line. Parents have tried to call me on that line. We never answer that line. Sometimes it feels like certain parents will do anything to talk with you when THEY want.
It is inconsiderate. I guess I would just be happy that they showed up.
Are you on call to the hospital and/or ER? There’s a good chance that your doctor is. And your dr has to wait on test results and see multiple patients who may have life changing news at any given moment.
Maybe not a good analogy.