This August is the first August in 33 years that I am not coaching Varsity Boys' Golf for the North Allegheny School District. Even when I retired from teaching in June of 2011 to care for my dying and cancer-ridden husband, the district asked me to stay. I loved coaching as much as I loved teaching and directing shows on the stage, but I did not want to stay too long at the dance, so i turned the reigns over to my very competent JV coach.
On what would have been the first day of golf tryouts, I was working as a rules official at the Pennsylvania Women's Amateur Golf Tournament at Sewickley Heights Golf Club. While performing my duties and watching my assigned golf holes, I saw an errant shot and scooted over to find the ball, which was close to the out of bounds stakes.The caddie walked up, and greeted me with a huge smile and exclaimed,"Coach Rittman! I am so happy to see you!" I recognized this young man, and I knew he had been a golfer for some WPIAL team, but I could not remember his name. He introduced himself as John and told me he was from Pine Richland, one of our arch-rivals in golf. He played high school golf 10 years ago. John told me that he never forgot a putting tip I gave him all those years ago-and he also said that he never forgot that although I was the coach from the opposing team, I spent time with him to help him to improve his game. John said my on-course lesson was actually the best putting tip he had ever received, and that he still thinks about it when he plays golf, and shares the tip when he caddies, for those players who need a "visual."
I was embarrassed to say that I was not sure of the tip to which he was referring, since I have coached for so long, and I have hundreds of tips I have learned and shared through the years. He reminded me that we were standing on the practice putting green and he said he was having difficulty "reading" the line of the putt. I told him to think about what would happen to the water if he dumped a huge bucket of water on the green. Where would it go? I said that as he looked at the slope of the green, flat spots, valleys and the ridges, the water would tell the player which way the ball would roll. This image really clicked with his learning style. He said he really needed a visual to learn to read greens, and that I taught him to read greens much better with that simple suggestion.
I can barely remember that conversation from over 10 years ago, but that lesson is still something that John uses every day. It is peculiar that teachers have such a power to instill knowledge, but we never know for sure who is listening and learning. I was lucky on this day to be provided with some positive feedback.
I was so pleased to have this conversation with the now 28 year old young man, especially when I was feeling a little down and missing the first day of tryouts. (I REALLY loved coaching.) Being reminded that I made a difference for a young man was a gift given to me that day, and one I wanted to share with you.
Teachers never get a chance to see a finished product, but sometimes we do get to see little pieces of what we have helped to build. In teaching and in coaching, giving the best we have to offer to the kids is always the right thing to do. I hope you will receive some positive feedback as your career progresses. I also hope you will always love school - and coaching.
One more thing - you never know when a few words and a few minutes will make a big impression - even if the player is from a rival team.
Rittman Publishing, LLC ®
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Visit Dede's webpage for complete details on her award-winning book, STUDENT TEACHING: THE INSIDE SCOOP FROM A MASTER TEACHER
www.dederittman.com
Dede is the co-host of The Total Education Q & A, which can be heard on Blogtalk Radio.
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/totaltutor
Dede could really use your financial help to make her dream of helping kids who need glasses come true. Please visit http://www.gofundme.com/zvzhuk for complete details about her upcoming book GRADY GETS GLASSES!
I attended the 45 year reunion for the Highlands High School Class of 1970 this past weekend. After all these years, it was still great to see old friends and to reminisce about what was, and to reflect upon what is, and to discuss what might have been. Classmates came from our hometown and from out of state; in some ways it felt like time stood still for us during those cherished hours we were reunited.
Although we discussed many subjects, many of the conversations were about our former teachers. We laughed at classroom episodes from the past, but many of my classmates made sincere and heartfelt comments about the influence of particular teachers on their lives. Some referenced elementary teachers, and others about junior high and high school "tough but fair" teachers. We mentioned favorites as well as influencers, and I mentioned that I became a teacher because of the many great teachers who influenced my love of learning. I am happy to share that many of my former classmates also became teachers. The point is this-my classmates and I are 62 years old, and we still think about our teacher influencers. (What about you? Does this post force you to reflect on a teacher influencer?)
Since my past career involves being an English teacher for 37 years, I am wondering- does my name come up in any conversations at reunions? I hope so. And today's teachers who are reading this right now - YOU are the current influencers and YOU will be the future topics of conversation at class reunions far from today. More importantly, you are the ones shaping young people and sharing life lessons every day. What you say and the way you act sends messages to your students every minute of every day.
Scary, right?
In my heart, I do not think there is any job that is more important than teaching. We, as teachers, have the ability to make or break lives and minds which are entrusted to us. We have a choice to treat others with respect and dignity, or to demean. We can choose to praise and encourage, or we can choose to devalue. We can choose to be kind and understanding, or we can choose to degrade. We will be remembered for our actions long after we are dead, and our influence will never stop, because others will teach what we have taught. Teaching is a serious responsibility; shaping lives is not for the faint of heart.
Perhaps you have seen this quote from Hiam Ginott, from his book BETWEEN PARENT AND CHILD. This quote perfectly explains not only my feelings, but also my philosophy of teaching:
“I’ve come to a frightening conclusion that I am the decisive element in the classroom. It’s my personal approach that creates the climate. It’s my daily mood that makes the weather. As a teacher, I possess a tremendous power to make a child’s life miserable or joyous. I can be a tool of torture or an instrument of inspiration. I can humiliate or heal. In all situations, it is my response that decides whether a crisis will be escalated or de-escalated and a child humanized or dehumanized.”― Haim G. Ginott
Although students can sometimes be challenging and difficult, remember that it is ultimately YOUR choice as the teacher that will determine the outcome for the student and the outlook of the student. Choose wisely. People will remember long after you are gone, and your influence will live on.
Rittman Publishing, LLC ®
Connect with Dede!
Twitter @dederittman
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Facebook Dede Faltot Rittman or Rittman Rules
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Visit Dede's webpage for complete details on her award-winning book, STUDENT TEACHING: THE INSIDE SCOOP FROM A MASTER TEACHER
www.dederittman.com
Dede is the co-host of The Total Education Q & A, which can be heard on Blogtalk Radio.
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/totaltutor
Dede could really use your financial help to make her dream of helping kids who need glasses come true. Please visit http://www.gofundme.com/zvzhuk for complete details about her upcoming book GRADY GETS GLASSES!
With the beginning of a new school year, I know the anxiety level of all teachers is elevated; when those "Back to School!" ads pop up in mid-July, the pulse of all of "teacherdom"- elementary to college, begins to race. Faculty rooms across the country will be filled with teacher thoughts like: "Who will my students be? Am I getting the kids who were the jerks last year? Please let me have some accelerated students in my classroom! I don't want to teach the challenged learners. Do I really have to teach the same kid I flunked last year? On, no! Another _____ (you fill in the family's last name) I thought last year's kid was the end of their thinning gene pool."
If you are a teacher, you have heard these sentiments, and perhaps you have heard even more demeaning statements. To be honest, hearing these kinds of words spoken aloud makes me sad and hurts my heart. The parents are sending the school the best children they have to offer.
I believe that every child, as well as every teacher, deserves a fresh start at the beginning of each school year. No preconceived notions, no remembering or digging up past indiscretions, no paying homage and attention to the mistakes of the past, and no beating up oneself for what was. A fresh start is just that; beginning again, and only in Education is one allowed to experience that fresh start every September. For most people, the new year begins in January, but teachers know that the real beginning of the year is in September.
Although it is sometimes difficult, teachers must put aside their preconceived notions about students and families and limitations. They must turn their thinking around a full 180 degrees. They must take their presumptions and turn them into "What do I NOT know about this child that makes him special?" As for problems in families, teachers should delve a little deeper; perhaps the discovery of an undisclosed family problem can be addressed through help from the school, and the family unit will get better and the student will improve. What about how teachers look at limitations of students? I say that instead of looking at a child's disabilities, you look for his abilities. Kids can do so much more, if only we tell them they can, and that we, as teachers, believe in them.
I am not a Pollyanna. I was a teacher for 37 years, and almost every student with special needs that came through the district was mainstreamed into my Theater or English classes. I found those students (and their parents) to be both challenging and rewarding. However, everyone enjoyed success, because I believed in their abilities to learn and do new things, so they did too. Having a positive influence on students is one of life's greatest rewards!
I urge all teachers to lose the negativity at the beginning of the school year, and focus on the positives. The year is new, and promises of success for all are within reach, with positive outlooks, hard work, and affirmative reinforcements. Have a great year!
As always, i welcome your comments or suggestions.
Rittman Publishing, LLC ®
Connect with Dede!
Twitter @dederittman
Periscope @dederittman
Facebook Dede Faltot Rittman or Rittman Rules
LinkedIn Dede Rittman
Google + Dede Rittman
Tumblr The Bunny Teacher
Instagram dede_rittman
Visit Dede's webpage for complete details on her award-winning book, STUDENT TEACHING: THE INSIDE SCOOP FROM A MASTER TEACHER
www.dederittman.com
Dede is the co-host of The Total Education Q & A, which can be heard on Blogtalk Radio.
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/totaltutor
Dede could really use your financial help to make her dream of helping kids who need glasses come true. Please visit http://www.gofundme.com/zvzhuk for complete details about her upcoming book GRADY GETS GLASSES!
The beginning of the school year is so hectic- new classes, new assignments, new sports teams, new car pools, new books, new friends, new clothes, haircuts, new shoes, new pencils and new notebooks. Note that the key word here is "new." How wonderful that every year in September, both teachers and students have a fresh start to a new adventure.
Whether you are a parent, a teacher, or a student, now is a good time to reflect on the positives and negatives of the past school year. What can be improved? What worked well? What needs to be incorporated to make things run more smoothly?
I offer a few suggestions for all of you - parents, teachers, and students- that will help to ease your stress and get you organized. Please note that I have used, and continue to use, all of these!
1. Gather all of your "stuff" for school or work the night before, and put it in the same place every night. No more looking for your notebook, car keys, locker keys, hockey stick, uniform, or homework. Same for parents and teachers-put all of your "must haves" in the same spot every night, and you will be ready to walk out the door each morning, hassle-free.
2. Have an assignment notebook with you for each class (or parents and teachers, for each meeting.) This should be something like a daily/weekly/monthly planner. Write down long term assignments and daily assignments, as well as what you need to take to school (or work) the next day. It seems that when we save this information in our phones, we often overlook it; when you physically write it down, you remember it better, and have less of a chance of forgetting it!
3. Have a quiet place where you can sit and do your work and arrange your papers. When you receive a handout at school, three hole punch it, put the date on top, and place it in the correct section of your notebook, not in the bottom of your backpack. All of your handouts will be in order. This works for parents as well. Organize your workload with different colors of folders. Keep all pertinent papers and emails in the appropriate folders with dates at the top, and you will have all the information in order at your fingertips. Teachers- you can make a 3-ring binder with all of your handouts in order, as well as your notes for the class. This method helps you to be very organized and prepared.
4. I know many of you use your phone calendars, but please give my calendar method a try. Get a large desk calendar, and write everything you need to do on that calendar- meetings, long term assignments, appointments, etc. At just a glance, you will know what you need to do for the day and the week. If you are a visual learner (and most people are), the "Dede's calendar method" will help you to be more organized and more productive, eliminating "forgotten" meetings, or that it was your turn to bring in the donuts. I have shared this idea countless times, and it works for everyone.
I am hoping that these few ideas will help to get you off to a great start for the new school year!
Rittman Publishing, LLC ®
Connect with Dede!
Twitter @dederittman
Periscope @dederittman
Facebook Dede Faltot Rittman or Rittman Rules
LinkedIn Dede Rittman
Google + Dede Rittman
Tumblr The Bunny Teacher
Instagram dede_rittman
Visit Dede's webpage for complete details on her award-winning book, STUDENT TEACHING: THE INSIDE SCOOP FROM A MASTER TEACHER
www.dederittman.com
Dede is the co-host of The Total Education Q & A, which can be heard on Blogtalk Radio.
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/totaltutor
Dede could really use your financial help to make her dream of helping kids who need glasses come true. Please visit http://www.gofundme.com/zvzhuk for complete details about her upcoming book GRADY GETS GLASSES!
Lou Holtz is an iconic figure and formidable coach, known for turning around failing football programs and recruiting great players. He has been head football coach for some of the greatest colleges in the country, written or contributed to ten books, worked as a commentator for CBS, and continues to work as a motivational speaker. Coach Holtz is famous for his ability to inspire and motivate others, and as I read the quote which I used for the title of this week's blog, I thought about how much self-motivation Coach Holtz must retain and replenish in order to have had such a storied life and career.
It is the same for teachers. Having, retaining, and replenishing self-motivation and motivating others is a MUST for every teacher.
Although other professions morph continuously from case to case, project to project, problem to solution, teachers have a definite beginning and end to each segment of the years in their careers. Each career year begins in August or September, with Thanksgiving and Christmas breaks in the mix, then a long stretch with no break until Easter, and then the grueling and grinding time to get it all in before making the finish line in June. Add in the stress of new technology, new gradebook programs, added responsibilities, hovering parents, students with special needs and accommodations, IEP's, creating new lessons, Common Core, testing and more testing, and trying to balance school with real life, and it is instantly apparent that teaching is a stressful job, and not right for just anyone. Like Lou Holtz, a teacher must maintain self-motivation in the interest of self-preservation, and a teacher must be able to share that motivation and inspire others. If you think this sounds like a job for a superhero, I agree.
Today is August 3, and for many teachers, the end of summer vacation and the beginning of the new school year will be arriving more quickly than anyone is anticipating or desiring. Now is the time to do a "Lou Holtz", and think about some ideas for self-motivation and for motivating others. Perhaps on a rainy day, you can go into your classroom and make a new bulletin board. Have you thought about an online website just for your classes? Parents and kids will all be "in the know", and you need only a few minutes per day to do updates, once the setup work is finished. Reflecting back to last school year, is there a lesson you would like to tweak to make it be even better? Are you working with a new team or new colleagues? Sharing some time and some lessons and planning before the school year begins will make the beginning of the school year less harried. Do you really need to clean out the junk from your teaching desk (which you ignored at the end of last school year)? A rainy afternoon is all it takes to help your school year get off to a better start, and you might even find your stapler and three hole punch!
As the school year progresses, it is impossible to stay self-motivated every minute of every day. When you are down, take out the notes you have from students - the ones that thank you for making a difference in their lives- and you will be refreshed and renewed, because you are a teacher. You are a superhero. You can do this. Remember Lou Holtz.
Rittman Publishing, LLC ®
Connect with Dede!
Twitter @dederittman
Periscope @dederittman
Facebook Dede Faltot Rittman or Rittman Rules
LinkedIn Dede Rittman
Google + Dede Rittman
Tumblr The Bunny Teacher
Instagram dede_rittman
Visit Dede's webpage for complete details on her award-winning book, STUDENT TEACHING: THE INSIDE SCOOP FROM A MASTER TEACHER
www.dederittman.com
Dede is the co-host of The Total Education Q & A, which can be heard on Blogtalk Radio.
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/totaltutor
Please help Dede to help children with her new book GRADY GETS GLASSES. Dede is trademarking Grady the Rabbit- with glasses- to have him made into a special stuffed animal toy friend for small children who wear glasses. Here is the link:
http://www.gofundme.com/zvzhuk
THANK YOU!
