Tips For A Successful Meet the Teacher Night

It’s back to school season! And, like so many of us, you’re probably knee-deep into prepping for your first student/parent meet-and-greet. To make your prep a little easier, I’m going to share with you some tips for a successful meet the teacher night or open house in 5 easy steps!

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Step 1: Set up stations

First, create 5 to 10 different stations that parents and students will cycle through to keep things moving and organized. Stations should be spread throughout your classroom to keep the traffic flowing. Here are some ideas for different stations: handouts (brochure, parent forms, etc.), photo booth, supply donations table, parent volunteer sign-ups, and take home gifts. These small sign holders (shown holding “Station One” in the photo below) are perfect for setting up station signs throughout your classroom.

Step 2: Create a photo booth setting for memories

This is a fun, unique idea to really make your open house stand out! Create a simple photo backdrop, or decorate one of your bulletin boards especially for this, and designate a spot in your room as a photo booth. This is a great way for parents and students to create lasting memories at your back to school event!

And to really make an impression, provide props that parents and students can hold in their photos! The best part is that I’ve already done the work for you! Check out my pack of Meet the Teacher & Open House Essentials for ready-made photo booth props, station signs, and much more!

Step 3: Create a slide show to cover info from your brochure

Having a presentation ready to go will keep you on track and organized when sharing important information during the event. It’s also a great way to introduce fun facts about yourself! Check out my Back to School Slides Templates – these are so easy to use! They’ll make your slide show look polished and professional, while also being fun and engaging!

Step 4: Wish list items

A great way to get those classroom supply wish list items is to create a supply donation table. Attach donation cards to a small grid that parents can simply take with them as a donation reminder. Supply donation cards and signs are also included in my pack of Meet the Teacher & Open House Essentials!

This wishlist grid from Amazon works great for creating your display. And you can use small clothespins to attach the cards to it! Add this large sign holder (shown holding the “Supply Donations” sign below) to really make your table stand out!

Step 5: Create take-home gifts for parents and students

Finally, a perfect way to end the event is with a sweet take-home gift! You could provide a drink, snack, or school supply item. And if you add a simple tag to it with a fun saying, it will be even more special to your new students! I’m sure you’ve guessed it – I’ve also included drink and gift tags (including suggested gift items) in my Meet the Teacher & Open House Essentials pack!

For even more ready-made back to school resources, grab my full Back to School Open House Survival Bundle! It’s chock full of everything you could need to have a successful meet the teacher or open house night! This bundle has all of the items mentioned in this post, PLUS brochure templates, parent forms, teacher post cards, and MUCH MORE!

Lastly, check out my post about the Best Back to School Bulletin Boards for fresh, easy ideas to get your classroom ready for the school year! Wishing you success as you host your back to school open house or meet the teacher night!