Story and photos by Mary Sheely
Reporting for West Seattle Blog

There’s a parent-teacher conference going on at Madison Middle School, 3429 45th SW, and it’s being led by an eighth-grade girl.

Parents Lora and Michael Bunch and science teacher John Urdal sit at a table in the library with student Riley Bunch, who is flipping through her portfolio, a large binder of papers, tests, and assignments that she has completed so far this school year.

She points out original 3D computer renderings that she later turned into physical objects using a drill press and scroll saw. An essay inspired by “a traumatic experience at a water park” is described as “one of my best writing pieces.” She explains her goals for the remainder of the year, and even her plans all the way to college and beyond.

The presentation is a relatively new phenomenon at Madison Middle School (which has an open house tonight, 6 pm).

Two years ago, head counselor Lauren Divina pulled together a small group of sixth-grade students to test a new approach to traditional school conferences, Navigation 101.

Students would lead the conference with a 10-12 minute presentation showcasing their progress and their academic, personal/social, and career goals. Riley was one of those students, so today she’s an old hand at making such a presentation — even in a library with about 30 teachers observing to learn more about the program. This year, about half of Madison Middle School students are participating in student-led conferences.

“I just think it’s really great, because lots of students’ parents are not involved with their work,” Riley says afterward. “They [students] come to these and say, ‘Wow, I am doing good,’ and their parents see it, and then they’re inspired to do better.”

Though students are encouraged to show work that makes them proud (they are required to show work in several set subjects), it’s not as if they’re only showcasing straight A’s. Riley is obviously no slouch academically — her interests include fashion journalism, prison therapy, and bioengineering. But her presentation includes a math test she needed to retake.

“The first test didn’t go so well,” she admits, pointing to a numeric grade roughly equivalent to a C. “The teacher grades by section, so you can choose to retake. I retook two sections and got better scores.” The second paper, the result of extra study, improved to about a B.

“It levels the playing field and gives equality to the kids,” says assistant principal Jennifer Kniseley, explaining how parents and teachers hear “in the student’s voice how they are doing in school. ‘What is the purpose? Why am I here? What direction am I going?’ We’re hoping to give them the opportunity to share that with their family.”

Not only do the presentations give students a chance to promote their achievements, Kniseley says, they’re increasing the amount of interaction between parents and teachers. Every one of the parents invited to a student-led conference will be attending this year, she says.

How are parents reacting to the presentations? During Riley’s presentation, a teacher quietly places a box of tissues on the table.

“It’s a mom thing,” laughs Lora Bunch, dabbing at her eyes.

On the practical side, she says, “When your kids are in middle school, you still keep tabs, but you get more distant from what is doing on. This is kind of a touch-base.”

Her husband Michael agrees. “They’re starting to become a lot more independent in their work,” he says. “It’s nice to get a comprehensive view of what she really liked and is proud of.”

As Riley says at the end of her presentation, “I feel I really learned a lot this semester.”