We’re all very excited to welcome you to campus on Thursday and Friday for Student Led Conferences! Student Led Conferences are an important ISB home-school partnership event, and your child has been excitedly getting ready for your visit to their classroom!
If you have never participated in a Student Led Conference you might be asking, “What is this all about?” or “Why are children being included in conferences?” You might even be wondering when you are going to get a chance to “really talk” with the teacher about your child. We, too, have asked these questions and have spent a great deal of time researching and discussing the benefits to ensure that our teaching/learning/assessing/reporting process is at the forefront of current educational theory and practice. Conferences which include the child have been used for many decades and their efficacy for promoting optimal student outcomes has been well documented over time.
At ISB, we believe that children are in charge of their learning and we give them many opportunities to know that they are capable and that they can influence what happens to them. During the annual March Student Led Conferences your child will lead all aspects of the conference; together with your child you will discuss all areas of the child’s behavior and learning with openness and transparency so that children continue to feel empowered and responsible for their behavior and learning.
The Student Led Conference format has a different look and feel than the October student-parent-teacher conferences. During each time slot there may be up to 3 families in the classroom, creating a more relaxed environment and giving parents more time to engage in the presentation of their child’s work.
Specialist Teachers: Specialist teachers also follow a Student Led Conference model. PE teachers will be in the New Sports Center gym to supervise student-led activities. World Language, Art and Music teachers will be in their rooms to welcome students who bring their parents to share what they have been learning in class. If you wish to arrange a conference with your child’s Learning Support (LS) or English as an Additional Language (EAL) teacher, please contact the teacher directly.
Your child’s guidance counselor is also available to meet with you while you are on campus for your conference. Please stop by the office to see if your child’s counselor might be available or feel free to set up an appointment ahead of time.
Some of the documented student benefits of Student Led Conferences that will be occurring in the Elementary School include the following:
- Accountability for their learning
- Ownership of the learning process
- Increased commitment to school work
- Increased interaction between child and parents
- Increased independence
- Ability to self-assess
- Increased confidence and self-esteem
- Development of leadership skills
- Fostering of organizational, communication and critical thinking skills
Some of the documented parental benefits of Student Led Conferences that will be occurring in the Elementary School include the following:
- Active participation in your child’s learning
- Better understanding of your child’s learning successes and challenges
- Forum for parents to have a voice that is heard by teachers and children
- Improved communication between home and school
- The creation of a forum for you to talk with your children productively and positively
Sarah, Jeff and I will also be available to meet while you are on campus. Please stop by the office to see if we might be available or feel free to set up an appointment ahead of time.
Lastly, be sure to tour the hallways and HUB to experience the beautiful ES Art Exhibition; invite your child to share more details about the piece he/she selected to have on display!
Your partner in education,
Michael Allen, Ed.D.
michaela@isb.ac.th