Guerrilla Conferencing

by Elizabeth Van Allen for scribblesbyartteachervanallen.blogspot.com

Step into my satellite office, conveniently
located just inside the main entrance. 
(the office is just out of frame to the right)

Despite teaching every student in my school building on a weekly basis, when report card conferences roll around only 2% of their guardians come visit me in the art studio.  My class occupies the suite that is closest to the office and main entrance, but it's in the opposite direction from all of the other teachers.  That means that if I hit the jackpot and see 5 parents per conference day for all three days in a row, that's only 15 parents to represent my entire student population of between 585 and 700 students (depending on that month/year's enrollment).  Keep in mind that our school is in a very low income area and our parent involvement rate is nowhere near that of most schools.  Those who are involved are wonderful, but many have jobs with long hours or are working towards their own education and simply don't have the time be a more active part of our school community.

During the last round of conferences, my parent attendance skyrocketed to approximately 366% of the previous quarter's numbers.  That means that instead of the usual 15 or so, I 

Few can resist the lure of the ranchers.

conferenced with the parents and guardians of 55 different students.  I didn't get this type of increase by giving all of my students failing grades or bribing them with promises of free face painting and prizes.  My sudden spike in interest was due to a method I like to call guerrilla conferencing.  

Van Allen's Guide to 

Guerrilla Conferencing
(copy write Van Allen 2015)

This highly effective technique involves 3 easy steps:

Step 1: Prepare and distribute a list of all students with a C or lower and distribute both paper and digital copies to all teachers.  The goal is to get the list out to them the day before conferences begin.  I usually title it something like 'Please ask the parents of these students to see the art teacher'.  I also include the names of students who have behavioral issues or that I have developed concerns about even if their grades are good.

Step 2: Set up a satellite office near the main entrance.  I take a rolling chair and pile on a small table or desk, then fill a bag with my all-purpose binder of grades, behavior and attendance, laptop & charger, a clipboard with an ATTACHED pen for sign-in, an extra chair or three, and a big 'ART' sign.  I also make sure to bring a few copies of the list mentioned in step one.  I like to cross out names as I see their parents to keep track of who I haven't seen yet.

Even with a giant 18x24 sign,
it took some people a few
 minutes to figure out that
I was not an information table.

Step 3: Welcome parents as they come into the school.  One completely unintended side effect of parking myself next to the office was that, despite the huge 'ART CLASS' sign placed directly next to me on an artists' easel, most parents thought that I was there to give information and/or directions.  Information that I would gladly give them after they signed my attendance sheet and had a little conversation time with the art teacher (insert evil laugh here).

This was how most of these conversations would go down: 
Me: Hello! (friendly smile)
Parent: Hi.  Do you know how I could get to room A3?
Me: Absolutely.  First, could you sign this list for me? (give parent my conference sign-in sheet)
Parent: Sure, no problem (writes their info & child's name)
Me: Oh good, I see your child is Bob Loblaw.  I am his/her art teacher.  Please, sit down for a minute, I'd like to update you on their progress.
Parent: I really need to see (other teacher) first to get their report card.
Me: (another friendly smile)  This will only take a minute or two, then I'll draw you a map of how to get there.  Getting around this building can be a little confusing.  Would you like a jolly rancher?
Parent: Thank you, that would be great! (sits down)

With the guerrilla portion 

of the conversation completed, 

the conferencing can now commence.

What methods have you used to increase your attendance numbers at organized functions and events?

SIDE NOTE: Going into this past quarter's report card conference days, I started luring in potential candidates with an open container of candy left over from PSSA testing.  On day one of my second guerrilla conference test run, I was able to talk with the parent/guardians of 30 different students.  That's up by 8 from last quarter's day one record of 22!