This is why it is regrettable that such a small percentage of parents show up--let alone with their students. To be clear, I feel that this is beneficial even for those students who are already doing well. I feel that the parent-teacher conference can help all of us see our roles from a different perspective as we get this chance to talk with one another about how each of us see our roles. This helps transform the classroom itself--if only for a little while--from an institutionalized cell of instruction and assessment to a place of learning not only the content, but about one's self.
This evening, it was particularly satisfying to see some of the participants' responses when they realized that I already had a relationship built with one or more of the student's parents. I really try to let my students develop their own relationship with me without any baggage of my history with their family members--especially their siblings. Some students already know and some will even let me know that I taught a family member, but often they either do not know or they do not think that I remember (and sometimes I don't). Today, there were at least two wonderful moments where I greeted parents with an "It's so good to see you again. How is [I actually remembered names today] doing?" and watched as my current student looked on with evident surprise. I should note, that on one occasion, I was the one to be surprised as familiar parents entered the room and I suddenly realized who the older sibling of my student was.
It was a day well spent.