I can check parent conferences off my to-do list. I had around 25 this year, and most of them were enjoyable 10-15 minute conversations. About half were parents of students who are doing fabulously in my class. About half were parents of students who need to recognize that their previous method of doing the bare minimum and not seeking help wasn’t going to work anymore. Some parents have a reasonable and healthy outlook on grades. All the parents — this year — recognized that we were both on the same side. One parent even brought me a tin full of candy!

Overall: success.