Positive Communication:
The Backbone of a School

Noel A. Smith Elementary
Frisco, Texas

Mr. Matt Kimball – Principal
Mrs. Shannon Acosta – Teacher

Slide 2 - School Facts 

Staff & Students
•	780 Students 
•	60 Staff Members

Location
•	Frisco, Texas
•	Fastest growing district

Staff Characteristics
•	Average years of experience is 10.3 years on the Smith campus
•	More than 41% of the staff has 11+ years of  experience

Assessments
1) TAKS Testing 
•	5th Grade – Reading, Math, and Science
•	4th Grade – Writing
•	3rd Grade – Reading & Math

2) Other Assessments
•	Math TEKS Checks for all grade levels
•	Benchmarks for 2nd – 5th 
•	K-2nd Reading Assessments 

Slide 3 - Components of Communication
Non-Verbal Components
•	Posture
•	Body Movements
•	Proximity
•	Muscle Tension
•	Facial Expression
•	Attire
•	Eye Movement

Verbal Components
•	Pitch/tone
•	Volume
•	Inflection
•	Pace
•	Words

Slide 4 – Communication Barriers

•	Hearing vs. Listening
•	Becoming Defensive
•	Assumptions
•	Negative Presuppositions
•	Lack of Clarity/Misunderstanding
•	E-Mail

Slide 5 - Paraphrasing Says…
•	I am interested and want to listen

•	I am concerned and empathize
 
•	I want to fully understand

•	We are a team

Slide 6 - Paraphrasing Can…
•	Summarize
•	Reflect feeling/emotion
•	Clarify
•	Acknowledge
•	Shift “Gears”
•	Give the speaker a chance to ensure their message is being heard and understood
•	Provide think time
•	Encourage reflective processing

Slide 7 - Paraphrasing Map
•	Paraphrasing expresses empathy
•	Paraphrasing acknowledges and clarifies
•	Paraphrasing summarizes and organizes key concepts and/or concerns
•	Paraphrasing shifts to focus or conclude the conversation

Slide 9 - Probing & Inquiring
•	Creates Clarity
•	Develops specificity in a conversation
•	Provides “wait time”
•	Allows speaker to hear themselves
•	Permits speaker to solve problem
•	Allows for metacognition
•	Maintains focus
•	Expands or shifts conversation

Slide 10 - Good Questions…
•	Have multiple responses
•	Assume the positive 
•	Gain clarity and specificity 
•	Shift thinking 
•	Encourage risk-taking

Slide 11 - Training Teachers
•	Initial Training 
•	1-3 hours minimum
•	Paraphrasing practice 
•	15-20 minutes/month
•	Follow-up Training 
•	1 hour minimum
•	Paraphrasing & Questioning Practice 
•	15-30 minutes/month
•	Reflection 
•	30 minutes minimum

Slide 12 - Staff Development Activities
•	Paraphrasing in groups of three

•	Teachers paraphrase written dialogue samples

•	Paraphrasing in groups of two

•	Reflect after parent conferences

Slide 13 - Summary Points

Key Points
•	Communication can make or break a school
•	Good communication = active listening
•	Active listening requires practice

Challenges
•	Developing comfort level
•	Embracing something new
•	Make it your style
•	Time to practice