Student-Led Conferences

Story by Hunter Darling ≫

Student-led conferences have gotten students thinking about their futures. They have been  exploring Career Cruising, a new online program provided by the school district to help students find a compatible career choice and to allow them the opportunity to make a plan for the future. When asked about the inspiration for student-led conferences teacher Joe Pickett said,

“Original emphasis came from a new vision of education developed by the Kansas State Department of Education for defining success by making sure students are prepared for college and their careers.”

EHS Vice-Principal Joe Zlatnik likes the higher conference attendance by parents and students, and is satisfied with the ability of students to explore their career interests.

Zlatnik said, “We’ve had a pretty good start, but we are looking for ways to improve it.”

Junior Gage Shepherd is one of the students who decided not to participate in conferences.

“I don’t do very well speaking in front of people, especially teachers and parents,” Shepherd said. “Students that have a problem speaking in front of people are not getting [their presentations] done.”

Shepard believes that there are other students who share the same anxiety he does about giving presentations. Other students and parents who did attend were also critical.

“I’m expecting it to be super awkward,” said Sarah McClellan, Sr., while prepping for the night of her conference.

Students who don’t attend the conferences are unable to earn SOAR rewards for the month of November.

“I don’t think [the penalty] is the smartest thing,” McClellan said. “There are kids whose parents are the problem. Why should the kid be punished for the parent being uncooperative?”

Zlatnik said that if a student wanted to give a presentation but their parent was unwilling or unable to participate that he was willing to sit in in place of the absent parent.

“We believe that these conferences are very important,” Zlatnik said, “and we wanted to make sure no students missed out on the opportunity to have a conference due to an adult not being able to make it.”

One parent who attended took to Twitter to voice her opinions on Student-led conferences.

“No need to discuss a career path @eudoraschools PTC,” tweeted parent Wendy Regehr. “Senior’s path self-directed w/little help from HS, outside of a couple of teachers.”

Regehr criticised the program that students used to find career paths that may interest them.

“I talked to other parents,” Regehr said. “It seems like a lot of crossing guards, bus drivers, trash collectors, karate instructors, amusement park operators, etc. are going to be coming out of Eudora.”

“I think we need to aim higher as a school and a community. How is a crossing guard or amusement park operator considered a career?  You need to challenge kids, not discourage them.” Regehr went on to say.

Faculty member Erik Peltzman believes he has seen a positive impact on students, and the program will only become more powerful as students invest more time in different aspects of their futures.

“I think as it goes on and builds, juniors and seniors will like it more as the years go on.”