I will always be a fan of Muhammad Ali, and his quote about service is one of my favorites. I am a huge proponent of service to others.
I retired from teaching in June of 2011 when my husband was dying fro cancer, after 37 years of serving others, through teaching, coaching, directing, and all of the accouterments associated with teaching. I enjoyed writing letters of recommendation and encouraging students to be the best they could be. I was preoccupied with serving my husband's needs for the year after retirement , but when he passed, I was unhappy on so many levels, and one of those levels included a simple fact: I was not helping others.
My book for student teachers and my book for children have given me new chances to serve others. I am still so sad that Scott is gone, but helping others is a great antidote to grief.
As teachers, I think we become so accustomed to doing for others, that we don't even realize how much we do. A life of service is so fulfilling . . . knowing that your positive words and influence have helped another is almost ethereal. I am thankful for the years I had in the classroom to serve others, and I am just as grateful for a second career of service. I also enjoy writing inspirational messages every week for my readers, many of whom are teachers.
Please invite me to your school for professional development workshops, writing workshops, children's presentations, and more! dederittman@gmail.com
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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