Student led conferences: A place where students share examples of work and set goals for the rest of the year.
Celebrations of Learning: A place where students reflect on their accomplishments and their challenges throughout the year in a positive manner.
After reflecting on what hasn’t worked in the past at various different schools, and in our personal lives, we as teachers found that parent-teacher conferences were not as effective as we’d like. By the time students get to middle school, parents have heard many of the same issues over and over again. Something was still lacking each time: student accountability.
Students and parents show up, we talk at/about them, they swear they will change, a forced change may or may not happen for about a month then what?
We created a new school, with that, needs to come a new culture. We decided to go to the heart of our GILLS. Right there lies something significant; Leading with Integrity. What does that even mean?
With our Celebrations of Learning taking the place of parent conferences, students were forced to do something they are very rarely asked to do: be accountable for their learning, and lead with integrity.
We asked them to reflect, a lot. We asked them to do this not only on what they are bad at or should change, but their strengths. They deserve to celebrate. The biggest knuckle head in the room has done SOMETHING this year and they deserve to be proud of themselves. We are trying to create confident, proud individuals so let’s help them bring that out in themselves.
Preparations
As the teacher in the room, I must admit I F.A.I.L’ed (First Attempt in Learning) a lot at this. What was important? An impeccable presentation, professional dress, student presence? What did I expect of them? To be honest, I wasn’t sure. I am so used to creating rubrics, setting guidelines, etc. We all know the expectations… but we didn’t. I had to be honest with the students and let them know that we weren’t really sure how this would go.
Results
My favorite part! (which is probably why the “preparations” section was a bit lacking). I could not be prouder! Honestly and truly I sit here with the most ridiculous (exhausted) smile on my face. They did it! They stood in front of their teachers, parents, and PEERS and reflected, “owned” it.
My first “challenging” student had their presentation and I didn’t even know what to expect.
The results blew me away. There were still lowercased “i’s,” still “strenths” didn’t have a ‘g’ even though we had the word on the board daily, and all of the petty other things I could criticize. But what was there? What was there was ownership, accountability, many nerves, and ….heart! There is nothing more interesting then a tough kid coming in with his mommy and being so proud of himself with an adorable grin across his face as he sees the proud tears rolling down her face.
Instead of telling a parent that a student doesn’t complete their homework, or participate enough in class, they did it for me. THEY made promises to THEIR parents and THEY reflected on their challenges and strengths. Whether or not the follow through happens now lies in the responsibility between the student and THEIR words and goals not MINE, it is THEIR education.
But most importantly, was comparing the entrances and exits. Students had no idea what to expect regardless of us putting the word “celebration” in the title. They walked in with their heads down, five feet in front of their parents, SILENT. How’d they leave? Smiling, chatting. and often arm in arm with their parents.
Why do we stop celebrating student achievement in middle school? We need to keep proving to students that POSITIVE behavior also deserves attention and recognition.
Twitter handle: @msblaha
michelleblaha 