To steal a favorite phrase from my teacher friend Amy, I teach for moments like this:

Parent/Teacher/Student conferences begin today after school and continue into tomorrow (all day long....). In an effort to prepare the kids for this, I had each of them fill out a goals sheet, and I've met with them each individually so that we can talk through the goals and discuss how they'll meet them. These have been really good experiences so far because it's rare that I get to touch base for any length of time with each kid in my class. Today, however, I took about a half hour to explain the structure of the conferences with the whole class so that they would know what to expect. Our conversation turned into an AMAZING moment where kids were sharing their personal worries about grades and disappointing parents and thinking that their best isn't enough to please the people that they love.

Some highlights:
- "European parents are VERY serious about school"
- A student sharing with me privately afterwards that she overheard her parents saying that they need to focus on giving their kids the best education possible so the kids can take care of the parents when they are old.
- Kids responding like somebody finally UNDERSTOOD them when I told them that it is normal for them to have new reactions, extreme emotions, and relationship changes at this age
- Seeing my kids relate to each other in a personal way that I haven't seen before.

It was as if all of a sudden it was just our class, that we were in it for the long haul. Just before sending them out to recess, I told them that for me, their best is enough. I shared that I have similar worries, but I worry about disappointing their parents, the principal, and them, my kids. I said "I'm going to give you my best every single day, and I know that you are going to give me your best in return" AND THEY APPLAUDED ME.

I teach for moments like this :-)