by Curtis Cunningham, SPS Professional Learning Specialist
Choose any nine-week period in your life and try to explain it to someone in 15 – 20 minutes. Consider that the person you are speaking to might have a completely different value system or communication style. This is the challenge presented to us during parent-teacher conferences. We have a very limited amount of time to present a large volume of information to parents.
One factor that might be overlooked is generational differences. Chances are that you will be sitting at the table with at least one person from a different generation. What might be some considerations that will make your short time with them more meaningful?
Jennifer Abrams, an educational consultant, has written and presented extensively on the dynamics of generational differences. In her work she defines four generations: Traditionalists (Born 1920-1942), Baby Boomers (Born 1952-1970), Generation X (Born 1960-1980) and Millenials (Born 1980-2009). The following document might provide some insights into the value systems of each generation. While this document was created to support work among colleagues, it certainly has implications for our interactions with parents. As you prepare for parent-teacher conferences, it might be worth your time to consider how generational differences might impact parents’ perception of what is happening in your classroom.
Parent-teacher conferences are a wonderful time to communicate with some of our most important stakeholders. Communication and collaboration are key elements of effective parent-teacher conferences that can transcend generations. While it can be an exhausting time of the year, it can also reap wonderful benefits. We wish you many successful conferences with parents from all generations.
