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11/12/25 | Blogs

Ask an Educator November 2025

Written By: JES Staff

Dear Educator,

I have a little girl in my 3rd grade class who struggles to stay seated. She blurts out unrelated comments in the middle of lessons, and it’s affecting her both academically and socially. How should I break it to her parents at parent-teacher conferences?

Dear Concerned Teacher,

That does sound challenging and kudos for reaching out.

Here’s the #1 principle to keep in mind:

Parent-teacher conferences should never be the first time a parent hears that their child is struggling. Conferences are for collaboration and planning – not surprising. Before you sit down with parents, try the following steps:

  1. Share your concerns with your principal. It’s always wise to keep your administration in the loop before reaching out to parents about behavioral or learning challenges.
  2. Call – don’t text or email – the parents. Conversations build trust.  

Here are some helpful suggestions for anytime you speak with parents:

  • Describe specific behaviors you’re noticing and how they’re impacting your classroom or the child’s learning. (“She often leaves her seat and calls out during lessons, which makes it hard for her and her classmates to focus”).
    Avoid diagnosing (“She has ADHD”)
  • Share what you’ve already tried.
    This shows that you’re proactive and invested in helping their child. (“I’ve moved her seat closer to me and given her quiet reminders, but it’s still difficult for her.”)
  • Ask for parent input.
    They may have insights from home that can help you understand patterns or triggers. This also makes the parent feel like a partner rather than an audience.
  • Plan together for follow-up.
    After the call or conference, summarize next steps: what you’ll do in class, what they might try at home, and when you’ll check in again.

During parent–teacher conferences, use the time to collaborate by sharing what you’ve been noticing or trying recently, and invite parents to share updates on how things are going at home. Together, decide on the next check-in or follow-up to ensure everyone stays aligned and informed.  Interactions like this build trust, keep parents from feeling blindsided, and help the child feel supported from all sides.

You’ve got this – these are the moments that evoke anxiety and apprehension but ultimately deepen our partnership with families and strengthen our classrooms.

For more tips and ideas please reach out to the JES helpline.