Although I am no longer in the classroom, I continue to enjoy keeping up with Education and contributing to the knowledge of others through my books and presentations. Also, I am always on the lookout for stories of inspiration and inclusion!
I recently read an article about Shane's Inspiration Playgrounds, which are constructed to make the playground accessible for all children - "regular" kids, and those with disabilities. I am very impressed that 68 such playgrounds have been constructed so far, and even more playgrounds are in the planning stage. (this link provides some info about the playgrounds and a list of locations https://shanesinspiration.org/playgrounds/ )
Shane Alexander Williams, the namesake of the inclusive playgrounds, was diagnosed with a rare genetic disease that left him paralyzed from his eye down, and he could breather only with the help of a respirator. After he passed away, his parents, Catherine and Scott Williams, looked for a way to honor their late son. They worked with corporations and other non profits, and within just two years, the first playground was constructed.
Although I am not a parent, I understand that losing a child has to be the very worst thing that can happen to a parent. The order of life is not natural, and the parents are left with a terrible void in their lives, as well as all of their unrealized dreams for their child. I think it takes a great deal of courage to devote so much time and energy to keeping the memory of the child alive while helping others. I find the Williams to be extraordinary people, doing extraordinary things for kids who have longed to be included in the simple things of life, like playing on a playground.
The website www.shaneinspiration.org offers insight into the process of having a playground built near you. Donations are also accepted at this site.
I love the idea of seeing ALL kids happy and participating at the playground!
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!
Twitter @dederittman
Periscope @dederittman
Facebook Dede Faltot Rittman or Rittman Rules
LinkedIn Dede Rittman
Google + Dede Rittman
Tumblr The Bunny Teacher
Instagram dede_rittman and Gradygetsglasses
Pinterest Rittman Publishing, LLC ®
I absolutely loved teaching English and Theater for 37 years, and I cried for weeks when I had to retire to care for my husband, who was dying from stage 4 colon cancer. I loved being with the kids, and I loved being with Scott, and in my heart, I knew I was losing the kids first, and that Scott would soon follow. It was a very difficult time.
Sometimes in a crazy daydream, I am with all the kids from my entire career, at a giant party. Of course, this would be impossible, since the total number of students in classes, study hall, cafeteria duty. coaching, and directing, would be over 15,000, and no venue holds that many people! Still, it is a nice thought . . . to see all the kids who have become adults, to talk about high school, and to know what they are doing.
I saw a CBS "On the Road with Steve Hartman" this week that I want to share, and for a fortunate teacher from Oklahoma, seeing his former students was a dream that did come true. Robert Moore, a retired music teacher, actually got a chance to see many of his former music students, and the student-planned meeting and concert was done as a major surprise for him! Robert Moore directed the chorus at then same high school for 30 years, from 1966-1996. He appeared to enjoy his job as a teacher, and the students really seemed to like him. While watching this Steve Hartman story, seeing the students who are now adults, hearing their reflections, and listening to them talk about their "tough" teacher who taught them discipline and lessons about life, I could not help myself. I just had to cry. The influence of this chorus teacher resulted in students who became opera singers and educators, and they all said they were better people for knowing Mr. Moore and having him as their teacher. What a tremendous gift for this retired teacher! I had to share this beautiful story.
Teachers seldom receive feedback stating that they have made a difference in a student's life. But with or without knowing, they simply go to work every day and try to do their best, while bringing out the best in the students. Any small note or acknowledgment of "a job well done" is rare and appreciated by every teacher.
Please watch this amazing story and elevate your day!
https://www.cbsnews.com/live/video/20180713235330-on-the-road-with-steve-hartman-tells-the-story-of-a-touching-reunion-of-a-music-teacher-and-his-students-from-over-3-decades/
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!
Twitter @dederittman
Periscope @dederittman
Facebook Dede Faltot Rittman or Rittman Rules
LinkedIn Dede Rittman
Google + Dede Rittman
Tumblr The Bunny Teacher
Instagram dede_rittman and Gradygetsglasses
Pinterest Rittman Publishing, LLC ®
I spend quite a bit of time on Twitter, tweeting articles and ideas about Education. (In fact, I was even named a top 100 Educator in Pennsylvania to follow on Twitter! @dederittman) Many teachers and administrators tweet about the importance of creating and maintaining positive relationships with students. Although I am no longer in the classroom on a daily basis as I was for 37 years, through presenting my two books, I am still in front of many students each school year. I have found that one thing never changes - kids and young adults thrive on being recognized and encouraged by their teacher, or even their guest speaker!
During my entire 37 year teaching career, I always was assigned a class or two of "challenged learners", many of whom were labeled as "underachievers." I never looked at those students according to labels put on them by the administration; I figured when they were my students, they would discover how exciting learning could be, and how inspiring achievement could be. It turns out, that for all those years and all those students, I was right.
If teachers only focus on the negative, they simply cannot and will not have a positive outcome. Of course, many students come to school, lacking in skills. And, guess what? These students already know they have a reading deficiency or spelling issue! As a teacher, help them to build these skills, rather than dwell on their deficiencies, and let them know they are making progress! Small triumphs will lead to bigger triumphs. Success breeds success!
Throughout my wonderful career, I had many students who faced big learning issues, including reading deficiencies, dyslexia, ADHD, lack of writing and grammatical skills, and many other problems. I worked beside them, acknowledging their progress, and asking about their feelings on their personal progress. My personal interest and guidance, along with daily encouragement, led these students to higher grades - and more learning - and even to liking learning! A teacher has the opportunity to have great power over the manner in which students look at learning. I always shared my philosophy of "I am a lifelong learner" with my students, because I never wanted them to think I had all the answers. I enjoyed giving authentic praise when it was earned, but not empty words of "Good job!" every few minutes. Those words are so trite when spoken automatically and so often that they are no longer authentic. The students knew that when they got a nod from me, it was well-earned. I am NOT a fan of frivolous praise.
Every student has gifts, and it is up to the teacher to help each to discover his gifts. Focus on the positive and the potential, offer words of encouragement, and your students will blossom - even the reluctant ones. I have 37 years of teaching experience that tells me this method works.
Teachers wield more power than they can ever know, and it is best to use that power in a positive manner. Help students to love learning, and to be the best they can be. What a wonderful opportunity to make a positive difference in the lives of students!
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!
Twitter @dederittman
Periscope @dederittman
Facebook Dede Faltot Rittman or Rittman Rules
LinkedIn Dede Rittman
Google + Dede Rittman
Tumblr The Bunny Teacher
Instagram dede_rittman and Gradygetsglasses
Pinterest Rittman Publishing, LLC ®
I read several articles this week about a private school in New York City's West Side that has been separating students in homerooms according to color for the past year. Parents have stopped that practice for now, but I wondered what would make a school seem to go "backward" in terms of segregation. The article said they were trying to offer "greater opportunities for connection and support." I am having difficulty seeing how a short homeroom time could do that, but I was only in Education for 37 years, so maybe I am wrong.
The private school is called The Little Red School House, and tuition is around $45,000 per year. One would think that this school would work very hard to please the parents and students. I am just not sure that separating students by race for homeroom is the way to do that, although some parents like idea that the school was not color blind. (See links below)
When I was in the classroom for those 37 years, I worked very hard at trying to make sure all students felt secure and cared for by this teacher. I also tried very hard to treat all the kids equally - regardless of their gender, IQ, social status, sexual preference, or anything else. Had any teacher in my public school district separated kids by race, the teacher would have been FIRED with no questions asked.
Our world is so disjointed already, especially in terms of economics, politics, and religion. I always hope that school is the one place where students can learn to be themselves in an accepting and supportive environment. School students are wading through their young lives trying to figure out who they are, and I think they should have the option to do that without being caregorized on race. I agree with Goethe - "The way you see people is the way you treat them. and the way you treat them is what they become." I prefer to treat students like they are special, gifted, talented, and wonderful human beings, as past practice shown me that they will believe it and become those things. Race has nothing to do with those intangibles. Needless to say, I do not agree with the practice of The Little Red School House.
If you are interested, here is the link to the article: https://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/local/Private-School-That-Separated-Students-into-Homerooms-By-Race-Ending-Policy-487061081.html and another link http://atlantablackstar.com/2018/07/03/private-nyc-school-separates-students-based-on-race-for-cultural-reasons-spark-backlash-from-angry-parents/
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!
Twitter @dederittman
Periscope @dederittman
Facebook Dede Faltot Rittman or Rittman Rules
LinkedIn Dede Rittman
Google + Dede Rittman
Tumblr The Bunny Teacher
Instagram dede_rittman and Gradygetsglasses
Pinterest Rittman Publishing, LLC ®
