Parent-teacher conferences are one of the best ways to support student success — but for many families, getting there isn’t simple. Work shifts, transportation issues, or language barriers often keep parents from being part of the conversation. At Anoka Middle School for the Arts in Anoka, MN, Technology Facilitator Andy Berg saw these challenges up close and wanted to find a better way.
By moving to a hybrid parent-teacher conference model with easy scheduling and multilingual support, Andy and his team made it possible for more families to join in. The result? Stronger family engagement and better communication between home and school.
In this Q&A, Andy shares how his school made the shift, what worked, and his advice for teachers who want to make conferences more accessible for every family.
Name and Role: Andy Berg, Technology Facilitator
Grades: Middle School Grades 6-8
What type of parent-teacher conference format did you use?
Andy: We set up both our trimester 1 and trimester 2 conferences in a hybrid format. Each conference was a 7-minute appointment with 3 minutes of transition time. Families could choose to join in person, virtually through Google Meet, with translation support through Lexikeet, or by phone.
“That flexibility was key because many families noted the virtual option was the only way they could attend.”
How did you prepare families and simplify scheduling?
Andy: Families were already used to communicating with us through ReachMyTeach, so using the same platform for signups was natural. RMT let us send one invitation that automatically linked families to their student’s full schedule.
In a middle school where students often have 10+ teachers, this was a game-changer. Instead of multiple links or confusing systems, families could click through, pick times, and be done.
Automatic interpreter scheduling also saved us significant time, coordination, and money.
What strategies helped you achieve such high family engagement?
Andy: Reminders and translations made a huge difference. Families received messages in their home language, keeping everyone in the loop. The Google Calendar integration was another lifesaver—every virtual meeting came with a Meet link automatically, which reduced tech confusion.
We also identified 150+ priority students we wanted to connect with. Using RMT, we invited those families before opening general signups, which made conferences more effective.
Seamless integration with Lexikeet interpreters meant families had instant language access, allowing us to focus on meaningful conversations.
What did you learn from the data afterwards?
Andy: The data was easy to access, which allowed our equity committee to analyze participation and identify areas for improvement.
“Our goal is to meet with as many families and students as possible, and this data helped steer our decision-making.”
What advice would you share with other educators planning conferences?
Andy: From a technology perspective, the RMT support team was incredible. Setting up a system for 1,600+ students was daunting, but Helen and Jeff answered questions quickly and even made overnight adjustments when needed. That gave me the confidence to roll this system out.
Our school has two campuses and a complex schedule. Normally staff expect long, complicated instructions. With RMT, the process was so streamlined that one teacher emailed me:
“That was too easy, I thought I did something wrong.”
Key Takeaways for Schools
- Flexibility matters: Offer in-person, virtual, and phone options.
- Simplify the system: Use one platform for scheduling, reminders, and interpreters.
- Prioritize outreach: Identify key families and invite them early.
- Use data for equity: Track participation and adjust for better access.
Parent-teacher conferences don’t have to be a logistical headache. Andy’s experience shows how hybrid conferences, translation tools, and strong tech support can make conferences more accessible, efficient, and meaningful for families.
If you want to simplify scheduling, improve communication, and strengthen family engagement, ReachMyTeach can help you achieve the same results. Schedule a Demo Today to see how ReachMyTeach can transform parent-teacher conferences in your school.
