Meet The Teacher Night Back To School

Meet the Teacher Night is the first chance parents have to meet their children’s teachers for the year! And it is a big deal!

Whether your night is called Meet the Teacher Night, Open House, or Parent Night, this back to school event at the beginning of the school year is a time of excitement for everyone. And maybe a bit of nerves too.

As a reading teacher, reading interventionist or Title 1 teacher, what are you supposed to do? These nights can be long and boring when no parents or students stop by your room.

Sooooo, what are you to do? I’m glad you asked! We’ve got 10 different ways that can help you connect with those parents and students and make it a more enjoyable night for you too!

Meet the Teacher Night Idea #1

Instead of being in your room waiting for parents to maybe stop by set up shop by the office or lobby area of your school! Greet families as they arrive. Be sure to tell them who you are and hand them your Title 1 or materials or reading tips then.

Meet the Teacher Night Idea #2

Get on the agenda for the night! Does your school set an agenda for the evening of stops families should be sure to visit? Have the office add your reading classroom to this agenda!

Meet the Teacher Night Idea #3

Prepare your back to school materials packet as usual. Then, ask classroom teachers to place these on student desks with their classroom packets. Parents may or may not drop by your room, but you will know that the information was given out to everyone and taken home!

Meet the Teacher Night #4

Be in your classroom as usual with Title I packets ready. Also have a slideshow playing in your classroom for parents to enjoy as they drop by. Stand at your door as much as possible to greet families and to welcome them to your room to see the slideshow.

Meet the Teacher Night #5

Does your school have a set meeting time for Meet the Teacher Night that all parents are to attend?Request to be a part of this meeting to make a presentation. It doesn’t need to be long. Introduce the reading staff and what the Title I program and goals are. Short and sweet!

Meet the Teacher Night #6

Play games! At our Literacy Nights, we like to have activities for the families to get involved with and have fun. One of those activities is having a scavenger hunt with clues that take families to different parts of the school. They love, love this!

Meet the Teacher Night #7

Set up OUTSIDE your classroom instead of inside your room! Set up a pretty and inviting table right outside your room with your materials ready to hand out and greet families. If you can get donations or funds, hand out free books to families. Or pencils and bookmarks! This builds excitement for everyone and they hope to be a part of your classroom!

Meet the Teacher Night #8

Print invitations inviting parents to come see you. Ask the classroom teachers to hand these invitations out to each family that visits their room.

Meet the Teacher Night #9

Volunteer to roam the halls and help families find their way to new classrooms. As you go, you can introduce yourself and your role and pass out stickers. Not as good as having a bit of time to visit with the parents at your room, but it is better than nothing!

Meet the Teacher Night #10

Serve food or refreshments! If you serve food, they will come! Lol. But it is true. Families appreciate a treat on a long evening. If you are serving refreshments, you can engage the families in conversations about what you teach and also hand them a small packet of information!

I hope these ideas spark some new conversations with the families that come to your next Back to School or Meet The Teacher Night! It will be so much better than having no one come to your room!