Stop Talking About and Start Listening To

Written by Abby Shaw

January is a month that marks a new year, new resolutions, and a fresh start. At TVS, it represents a time in which learners reflect on their journey thus far and are given the opportunity to share their reflections with their family and guides, better known as their “village”. 

In lieu of parent-teacher conferences, we host “Journey Reviews” where the learners get to lead the conversation and families get insight into what their child is doing at school, their successes and challenges, their goals, and what they have learned about themselves this year. It is a beautiful moment to sit and listen as young learners share some of their proudest moments, biggest challenges, and plans for meeting their goals. 

When I taught in a public school that hosted parent-teacher conferences, I always had anxiety leading up to the conferences. Not because talking with parents made me nervous, but because it felt like the conversation was designed to only focus on the concerns. I was instructed to bring up a student's low test scores, concerning attendance, or challenging behaviors. It felt so negative. And I began to dread parent-teacher conferences.

Journey Reviews at The Village School showed me a different way. Instead of me delivering a litany of concerns, I watched learners lead the conversation. I saw a new way to involve parents in their child’s learning–with their child present, leading the conversation. I sat back as learners shared and parents listened. I listened as learners asked questions and parents answered. I smiled as learners celebrated their successes and honestly reflected on their failures. While I wasn’t silent the entire time, the conversation was led by the learner. These are just a few examples of exciting things shared by young learners:

“I used to think I didn’t like math but now I do!”

“My proudest moment was getting my first touchdown in football”

“I’ve learned I have a passion for soccer and learned I can have a passion for other things like reading and math”

“I’m a more confident person”

Statements like these remind me that parent-teacher conferences don't have to be like my past experiences. Rather than 30 minutes of talking about a learner, we can listen to the learner. We can celebrate their growth and allow them to own their learning.