For new teachers, getting ready for parent-teacher conferences can be overwhelming. With so many things to accomplish in such a short period of time, it's hard to know where to even begin. But with intentional preparation, teachers can create communicative, collaborative, and positive experiences for everyone -- from the very beginning prep stages to the follow-up.

The more teachers make the process accessible, the higher the likelihood caregivers will show up and contribute to helping support their student's growth. Families can be brought in with simple communication tools before conferences even begin. Planning ahead for translators where needed and providing families context about their child's progress in advance helps them prepare to engage in conversation, which ensures the meetings are more collaborative and equitable.