For decades across the country, the classic parent-teacher conference in the education world has been the main connection between the student and the subject. It’s often a time where advice and admonition are applied, and praise or penalty is piled.
Over the last several years, however, Trigg County Middle School officials — as well as the high school — have taken a much more modern approach.
During Thursday’s convening of the Trigg County Board of Education, TCMS Principal Amy Breckel went into great detail about “student-led conferences” — which over the last few years have replaced a once-dreaded task with a new experience. One that puts the student in a place of accountability, ownership and importance.
And it works like this. Roughly 15-to-20 students are assigned to a teacher/mentor through a “Synergy” group, who then sets up a conference time for the family. Breckel said this was recently held in a 3-6 PM weekday window, as well as a 10-day flex window for families who needed a different scheduling option.
From there, the student must discuss their progress, deficiencies and overall goals to an adult — usually an educator and/or a parent/guardian — in order to bring their middle school timelines under a spotlight.
Furthermore, Breckel urged that further confirms care and comfort of the student, because “someone cares about” what the child is learning, “someone is checking in” on the child, and “someone is asking” about what their school day looks like.
At the behest of her mother and the board, eighth-grader, Livi, delivered her conference rather formally in the shape of a PowerPoint presentation — explaining that she was hoping to improve on time management, while pushing some test scores from “proficient” to “distinguished.”
Her example of mathematical learning: mastery of the Pythagorean theorem.
Board members Charlene Sheehan and Theresa Allen wholly admitted that, in the beginning, they were not on board with this massive change in school structure and concept.
That tune has since changed for both.
Breckel noted that in a recent survey to parents, more than 80% of parents and guardians noted that student-led conferences “gave them new information” about their student’s learning. More than 96% agreed their student showed “evidence of mastery” in some content. And more than 97% indicated their student showed “connections” to the learning impact.
In other school news:
— Karen Solise, director of curriculum and instruction, noted that a second session of “Lead Like A Girl,” an empowering mission for young ladies at TCHS, went “extremely well,” with students appreciating the list of women guest speakers this go-round. It included Mallory Lawrence, Dr. Ellie Jolly, Beth Mann and an unnamed female electrician with more than 20 years experience. The group continues to navigate the challenges and salary caps of women in the workforce, as well as other social barriers women face even in the 21st Century.
Also, for the first time, “Camp Catapult” will have an element for pre-K students and families. It’ll take place just before the start of the 2023-24 school season, and will be used as a launching pad to help families and children navigate the campus and its layout.
— Board members unanimously approved the second reading of the 2023-24 academic calendar, which is quite nearly a carbon copy of the 2022-23 academic year.
— And speaking of this year, board members also unanimously approved a date for the Class of 2023’s graduation: 7 PM, May 25 at the Trigg County Gymnasium. It’s a Thursday, that quaintly leads into Memorial Day weekend. The last day for students is May 23.
