Meet the teacher night for language arts has potential!
Sure, teachers stress about meeting a bunch of adults every August. We have lesson plans, the first day with new students, and bulletin boards to organize. Don’t forget about this first chance to meet with our students’ adults!
We can make connections and build goodwill.
If you need a pep talk for your language arts meet the teacher night, keep scrolling.
How can I overcome nerves for meet the teacher night?
The best way to overcome nerves for speaking is preparation. Know your goals, and plan out your night. I don’t have all the answers, but after many meet the teacher nights as a language arts teacher, my ideas are below.
Prep your Powerpoint or presentation info.
Don’t head into meet the teacher night without a map to guide you. The teacher presentation should give concrete information:
- School activities coming up—perhaps a field trip.
- Email address and phone number.
- Hours. Be sure to include when you leave school.
- Supply lists.
- Overview of the class.
- Reading requirements.
Some teachers share their Amazon wishlists, but that is a personal preference. I’m not comfortable doing that, but again, make the presentation yours!
I spend most of my time explaining why we read in class together and why students should read at home. The beginning of the year is the time to explain to students and their adults about the importance of reading.
Introduce yourself.
Students spend hours each year with their teachers. Naturally, parents would like to know a bit about them.
But! In no way does that mean you should share anything you are uncomfortable in doing. For instance, I show a picture of my family, but I can imagine several reasons why other teachers would not. I also share a bit of information about my hobbies and family life like hiking and traveling. Stay in your comfort zone, and only spend a little bit of time on your personal life.
I also share where I went to college, why I became an English teacher, and what I enjoy about teaching. Those topics are safely inside my comfort zone. As a new teacher, I probably overshared.
Be sure to follow your gut !
Explain the big picture.
School is difficult for many people and unfortunately, in my experience, part of that is because systems make no sense to people outside school walls.
For instance, why do I start my classes with spiral grammar? After explaining a few of my routines and processes, I share that language standards are tough. When students tackle pieces over time, the topics are less intimidating.
As school starts, adults are overwhelmed by school supplies, class schedules, and volunteer opportunities. (I’m a parent who attends meet the teacher nights. The amount of important information can be overwhelming!) To put forth a great first impression, speak with confidence and reassurance.
Of course, you should not over-explain yourself. Simply give an example from your classroom that demonstrates you’ve thought through the school year. Model one component of your class so that adults recognize you have control.
Do not shame.
As a parent, I expect professionals to give me authentic and helpful feedback. Some examples:
- A coach tells me that my child is having trouble completing certain task. That might start a discussion if there is a confidence issue, a misunderstanding, or a physical pain.
- A pediatrician tells me that my child needs to eat more protein or veggies. That might spur me to look at our family diet or food I pack in lunches.
- A teacher tells me that my child should work on vocabulary. That might encourage me to look at choice books at home and to find a new variety.
All of those instances have happened, and all three times, the professional was kind, courteous, and helpful. I believed they had my child’s best interest. They did not shame me or my husband.
Similarly, my students should read. Endless research shows that when students have books at their home and when they read outside of school, they reap benefits. I decorate my classroom with facts about reading and provide bookmarks for students to take home.
More importantly, I share ways that adults can get books into their home. One, I offer up my classroom library. Any student can borrow books to take home. Two, I explain about the town’s public library and school library. Three, I show them my state’s library services.
Basically, parents leave equipped with different places to find books inexpensively or free. Your specific state and community might have different options.
Finally, if your school has a curriculum night or other information parents would benefit from, consider adding your school’s welcome packet or program to a table in your room.
Connect: Instagram? Newsletters?
A nice touch is to explain how you plan to connect with adults. I send out notifications through our grading system about important due dates and success. Once, my Creative Writing class created a poetry book. I assembled and compressed the PDF and sent it to everyone in the class.
One of my personal kiddos had a teacher who posted on a private Instagram account. The parents had cute videos of scavenger hunts, station work, and daily events. Another teacher sent out a monthly teacher letter from the classroom, music, and art teachers. Finally, some schools have websites that have blog posts and videos about classroom events. Tell adults what to expect.
When adults see that you are invested in their child, they are more likely to work with you. You can leave for the night knowing you planted seeds about reading outside of school, connecting with parents, and how you plan to reach out to them.
Your goal is not only teaching children but partnering with parents to help their children be successful.
The adults, the parents and guardians, want to know that you see their children as important humans.
Which. . . is probably the best tip for meet the teacher night. We are all humans, the teachers and the guardians and the students. Be yourself, show everyone that you care and want to teach, and build connections for a great school year.