I had breakfast this morning with my former 10th grade English student, who is now my attorney. We talked about many things, including the school district we shared, where Alan was a student and a school director, and where I was a teacher for 35 years, as well as a coach for 33 years. Amazingly, Alan remembered so many great experiences from his elementary years, as well as a year in 3rd grade that caused him great unhappiness. Although I spent so much time reflecting on the influence of a teacher, our conversation reminded me that the mental pain inflicted by a teacher lasts forever.
With the new school year just beginning, now is a great time for teachers to think about the manner in which they treat their students. Kindness and respect are a must, with a large helping of humor added. Teaching is all about relationships. Everyone knows that kids resist learning from a teacher they do not like! Making eye contact, taking an interest in students as individuals, and truly listening to students are three great ways to begin a healthy relationship with students. In my 37 years in the classroom, even the most reluctant students could be won over with respect and kindness, and a smile. Kids know when teachers really care about them and for them.
Begin your year positively, and stay on that positive train! If you follow me on Twitter, I tweet lots of articles and inspiration for teachers. I am @dederittman
Here's to a GREAT year!
As always, I welcome your comments and suggestions.
Rittman Publishing, LLC ®
Please invite Grady Gets Glasses (and me) into your school. if you are not in the Pittsburgh area, we do virtual field trips with a group called Field Trip Zoom. www.Fieldtripzoom.com GRADY GETS GLASSES was the winner of Best New Children's Book 2016 from The Authors' Zone. For more information about The Authors' Zone, please visit http://www.theauthorszone.com/submissions/
Visit Dede's webpage for complete details on her award-winning book, STUDENT TEACHING: THE INSIDE SCOOP FROM A MASTER TEACHER. Many colleges have made the book required reading. Signed copies are available www.dederittman.com Dede is also a national speaker on The Three C's for Classroom success: Confidence, communication, and Creativity; Avoiding Teacher burnout; and many other inspirational topics.
I LOVE writing. And I love writing children's books- my newest passion. Although it will be a ton of work, I am looking forward to selling my books. Since I was a secondary teacher, I know that I have much to learn about elementary students, and I will have to follow my own advice and be my genuine self. However, I also know that I am passionate about helping kids who have to wear glasses, and that GRADY GETS GLASSES sends a positive message. I am willing to work hard and do all the things that also made me a successful teacher for 37 years. I remain inspired!
Elementary teachers in Western Pennsylvania and beyond - I am willing to come into your classroom in person or as a virtual field trip through a group called Field Trip Zoom. Check them out! http://www.fieldtripzoom.com/
Teacher friends- let me know if you want me to read GRADY GETS GLASSES at your school. I am willing to come in to discuss the creative writing process, why writing is important, and personal fulfillment through writing, along with reading my book. I would appreciate the exposure, and I would make signed copies available for purchase in your classrooms following the reading. Please email me at dederittman@gmail.com The website www.gradygetsglasses.com now has plush Grady bunnies for sale!
Please like Dede's new page Grady Gets Glasses for updates about her children's book. https://www.facebook.com/gradygetsglasses?ref=hl
Connect with Dede!
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