Parent’s evenings can be daunting for the teacher as well as the pupil. For some teachers it may be the first time you have properly met the parents of a child. All parents want to feel proud of their child and feel that they are doing well.
When talking to the parents of a child, be as positive as possible about each pupil, even when you have to say something negative, try to begin and end the conversation with a positive comment. Be concise in your comments and avoid using jargon that the parents may not be familiar with.
Likewise, be polite but firm in saying goodbye to any parents who talk a great deal. Standing up and shaking hands is a good technique. Remember if you overrun on the timetable, you may find yourself staying until late in the evening and holding up other parents which may not give a good first impression.