Coaching Conversations:
Paraphrasing
November Academic Coach-Math Training
November 2, 2012
Laura Maly
Cynthia Cuellar Rodriguez
 Learning Intention: We are deepening our
understanding of how to utilize effective coaching
skills in a learning focused conversation.
 Success Criteria: We know we are successful when
we can prepare for an effective conversation with
teachers according to their needs to ensure
meaningful mathematics instruction.
 Approachable voice
 Attending fully
 Maintaining eye contact
 Using the pronoun “you”
 Plural forms
 Exploratory language
 Positive presuppositions
Lipton & Wellman
The purposeful use of
paraphrase signals our full
attention. It communicates that
we understand the teacher’s
thoughts, concerns, questions
and ideas; or that we are trying
to. Well-crafted paraphrases
align the speaker and
responder, establishing
understanding and
communicating regard.
Lipton & Wellman
 Acknowledging and
Clarifying


You’re noticing that…
In other words…
 Summarizing and
Organizing


For you then, several themes are
emerging…
There seem to be two key issues
here…
 Shifting Levels of
Abstraction


A value for you would be…
A specific example for you would
be…
Learning Focused
Conversation
 Working in Triads, have a learning focused conversation.


Roles:



Speaker shares the concern
Coach paraphrases
Scribe records paraphrases
Rotate roles when directed
 2 minutes for speaker and coach to engage in a

conversation while scribe records the paraphrases.
2 minutes for the scribe to share paraphrases and triad to
discuss:


The types of paraphrases used by the coach.
Which paraphrase(s) helped the speaker trigger more thoughtful
responses?
Learning Focused Conversation:
Give Me Five
How will this coaching
conversation help you be a
more effective leader?
How was this coaching
conversation different than what
will happen in your school?
 Learning Intention: We are deepening our
understanding of how to utilize effective coaching
skills in a learning focused conversation.
 Success Criteria: We know we are successful when
we can prepare for an effective conversation with
teachers according to their needs to ensure
meaningful mathematics instruction.
Milwaukee Public Schools
Coaching Conversations: Paraphrasing
MPS Board of School Directors
Senior Team
Dr. Michael Bonds, President
Larry Miller, Vice President
Mark Sain, District 1
Jeff Spence, District 2
Annie Woodward, District 4
Dr. Peter Blewett, District 6
David Voeltner, District 7
Meagan Holman, District 8
Terrence Falk, At-Large
Dr. Gregory Thornton, Superintendent
Naomi Gubernick, Chief of Staff
Darienne Driver, Chief Innovation Officer
Tina Flood, Interim Chief Academic Officer
Dr. Karen Jackson, Chief Human Resources Officer
Michelle Nate, Chief Operations Officer
Gerald Pace, Esq., Chief Financial Officer
Anita Pietrykowski, Director, School Administration
Denise Callaway, Communications & Partnerships
Patricia Gill, Executive Director, Family Services
Sue Saller, Coordinator to the Superintendent