This week Mrs. Mary Reepmeyer, Principal, shares the significance of Student-Led Parent-Teacher Conferences and how it helps students reflect on their growth, leading to a deeper understanding of themselves as learners.
Students in Third through Eighth Classes have been diligently preparing for their student-led conferences next Friday, February 28. I believe the greatest benefit of these conferences is putting ownership and accountability on each student while strengthening the relationship with their teachers and parents. When students reflect on their experience in school, celebrate strengths, and identify areas for growth with adults who care about them, they take ownership of their learning and are more likely to work toward their goals and thrive.
Preparing for this conference involves organizing materials, planning presentations, and managing deadlines. These habits translate directly to academic, professional, and personal success. When students present their own progress, they demonstrate responsibility for their work. Preparing for the conference requires reflection, goal setting, and self-assessment, which reinforce a growth mindset. During the conference, students will be explaining their progress to you, their parents, in their own words, which boosts their confidence and improves their ability to articulate thoughts, ideas, and learning experiences. Reflecting on challenges and celebrating growth helps students develop resilience. They learn to view setbacks as learning opportunities, which build grit and adaptability.
Student-led conferences provide a window into each unique student’s experience. My hope is that this conference will strengthen your connection with your child. You get a front-row seat to your child’s perspective of themselves as a learner. This can lead to more meaningful support at home and strengthen your bond. Instead of just seeing marks or grades on a report card, you’ll understand the journey behind those grades — the effort, challenges, and progress that might not be captured in a single mark or grade. I hope at the end of your conferences you can admire how much your children have grown to understand themselves as children of God and life-long learners who are responsible for their academic, personal, and spiritual growth.
