Lessons Learned from the Bunny Teacher: October 2018

Tuesday, October 30, 2018

"Be kind whenever possible. It is always possible." Dalai Lama

I have lived in Pittsburgh my entire life. Pittsburgh is a giant melting pot,with neighborhoods like Squirrel Hill, Polish Hill and Bloomfield, aka "Little Italy". The diverse peoples, cultures, ethnic traditions, and delicious foods are a huge part of the unique charm and beauty of Pittsburgh. We are a city of contrasts, for example, we have many working class neighborhoods alongside a cultural district that includes a world class symphony. Although we are a city, people here know each other, and walking down 5th Avenue, a person might see 3 or 4 friends and acquaintances in a matter of blocks. Pittsburgh is a very small town in the guise of a big city.

On Saturday, October 27, 2018, Pittsburgh was the site of the worst massacre of Jews in America. What we thought could not happen here, happened here, in a diverse and beautiful neighborhood, just blocks from where Fred and Joanne Rogers made their home and raised their sons. An act of hatred, murder, and terror occurred in MR. ROGERS NEIGHBORHOOD - a place of welcome and inclusion. All of Pittsburgh is heartsick. There is a pall over the city and its people - heightened by a dreary gray sky and cold rain showers. 11 murdered and 6 more injured. Pictures and stories blare from the television and the extensive newspaper coverage. The faces of the victims have become so familiar that they now seem like lifelong friends.

Like everyone else, I am crushed by this act of hate. I lived in Squirrel Hill when I was in my 20's, and I loved the diverse and delicious neighborhood, with its unique array of characters, groups, and food. I have been pondering one question since the shooting happened on Saturday: what makes a person so filled with hate that he can shoot and kill people in cold blood? I have no answers - just more questions. Was it his upbringing? Coming from a home filled with love, I am conflicted about how that could be possible, and how any parents could teach hate to their child. Did he have mental health issues? This seems likely, as we know that he was a loner with no friends or visitors, and a neighbor noted that the shooter had never raised the blind in his apartment. This leads us to assume that his life was filled with darkness. Does he have any family members? None have stepped forward at this time, but even if he did, we don't know if he discussed his hatred with them. How did he get this way, when he was raised in Pittsburgh? I don't know if we will ever know the answers to these questions.

Pittsburghers are reacting with their unique generosity - giving blood for the victims, creating flower memorials, providing financial aid for the victims, holding vigils, holding moments of silence to honor victims before sporting events, and meeting and talking to each other - even strangers- in the street, The people of Pittsburgh will be forever scarred by this tragic act of hate, but we are the Steel City, and I believe we will become stronger and more united because of this event.

I was a high school English teacher for 37 years, and when terrible events happened, students often looked to their teachers for answers. If I were in the classroom now, I think I would tell the kids that this is a very difficult time, and that although I wish it could be otherwise, no one is ever completely safe from people who want to do evil. I would tell them it is a good thing to be aware of one's surroundings - not to be fearful - but to be aware. I would say that our world is not perfect, but it is still filled with beauty, and that by practicing kindness and compassion, each of us can make our part of the world more beautiful. I would whisper that the world can be a scary and confusing place, and that it is a good idea to seek solace in the love of their families and in the caring adults who guide them through their lives. If I were in the classroom right now, I would have the students write letters of consolation and hoe to the Tree of Life Synagogue (only if they wanted to-not as an assignment,) I wrote my own letter on Sunday, hoping to provide solace for the friends I have not yet met, as well as solace for myself.

The one truism I can share is this: The best way to combat hate is to practice kindness and compassion. I hope you will join me in this quest.

Blessings to all at Tree of Life, the victims, their families and friends, the heroic first responders, and the doctors and nurses. #PittsburghStrong

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 ®

Friday, October 26, 2018

"Kindness is the language which the deaf can hear and the blind can see." Mark Twain

Sometimes, children set examples of kindness for the rest of the world. That very thing happened in Washington County, Pennsylvania, on the football field of a midget football team, but there was nothing small about the gesture of kindness shown by both teams to one particular boy who has Down's Syndrome. Players from both teams cheered Casey on to a touchdown, the first of his lifetime. This gesture of acceptance and inclusion really resonated with me as a teacher. Through the years, I saw numerous similar acts, but the happiness on Casey's face, as well as the joy the other boys felt in helping Casey to make this special touchdown, are o poignant.

With all of the anger and cruelty in our world today, I am so happy to share a story of kindness and compassion. Thank you, football players, for this lesson in kindness!

Here is the link to a story that will lift your heart and spirit! Be kind!
https://www.wtae.com/article/child-living-with-special-needs-scores-to

uchdown/23880058

As always, I welcome your comments and suggestions.

Rittman Publishing, LLC ®

Friday, October 19, 2018

"The truth is that teamwork is at the heart of great achievement." John C. Maxwell

Sometimes, you just have to call out hypocrisy when you see it. Although I rarely write anything political, I have to speak out about this topic.

A 7th grade girl, 12 year old Brooke Choi, is a talented football player and has been a part of a football team for three years. She has suddenly been denied a position on the team- the "Crusaders" in Philadelphia. She loves the game, her dad is a coach, and she has even been a contributing member of champion teams in the last three years. So, why would she be denied the ability to play the sport she loves? The answer is this - because she attends a Catholic school, the Archdiocese of Philadelphia believes there could be "inappropriate touching." Really? Through pads and helmets? While the game is going on? While running, passing, and tackling?

I am stunned. If you have viewed the shocking and disgusting Pennsylvania Attorney General's report on the rampant decades-long sexual abuse perpetrated by priests, this statement is nothing short of hypocritical. I am a Pennsylvania resident, and when this report was released on August 14, 2018, parts of it read like an X-rated novel, except that the lewd acts were being committed against children. Perusing this report made my stomach turn and my heart ache, so I stopped reading. The Catholic Church overlooked decades of abuse, and now, they want to deny a girl the ability to participate in the sport she loves. By the way, it isn't just this girl - the Archdiocese will not allow any girls to play on the football team. Have they never heard of Title IX? I hope their federal funds disappear.

I urge you to take a look at the article about this controversy. Shame on these hypocrites for thinking football is about "inappropriate touching" instead of camaraderie, working toward a goal bigger than oneself, acquiring new skills, sharing group experiences, learning self-reliance and accountability, and understanding the value of becoming part of a team. I coached for 33 years, the the lessons kids learn from being on a sports team are used throughout their entire lives. This girl loves football, and if she is talented enough to make the cut, she should be able to participate in the sport of her choice.

Here is link to the article. https://sports.yahoo.com/archdiocese-philadelphia-denies-talented-girl-spot-cyo-football-fear-inappropriate-touching-202339166.html

As always, I welcome your comments and suggestions.

Rittman Publishing, LLC ®

Friday, October 12, 2018

"The most valuable resource that all teachers have is each other." Robert John Meehan

When I began teaching in the Stone Age (1974), there were no computers, smart boards, or copy machines! Xerox had not yet become a verb. Our extra resources were our record players, 16 mm films, and mimeograph machines, along with the chalkboard and chalk.   In my day, we shared dittos and ideas, worksheets, and strategies, in a very limited community.  Today's classroom is so different, and the Internet is allowing some bright and motivated teachers to cash in on their brilliant strategies.\, so today's teachers are so fortunate to share with other teachers - worldwide!

Have you heard of Teachers Pay Teachers?  https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/ This website allows teachers to sell their ideas and hard work to other teachers! One teacher has made over a million dollars from the site, and both she and her students are benefiting from her hard work. Many items on the site are just a few dollars, and t is fun to peruse, even to gain a new perspective.

Teacher sellers offer the lesson plans, bulletin boards, and more - all ideas and projects/materials that have been successful in their own classrooms. This website truly takes collaboration to an entirely new level! I was so impressed by this story - I hope teachers will take a minute to view the clip and check out this site. By the way, I am not being paid for my endorsement - I just think it is a great idea to share other great ideas.

Here is the link to the Today Show interview about Teachers Pay Teachers:
https://www.today.com/video/how-teachers-use-social-media-to-share-ideas-and-make-extra-cash-1339945027828?v=raila&

GO, TEACHERS! Keep up the good work!

As always, I welcome your comments and suggestions.

Rittman Publishing, LLC ®

Thursday, October 4, 2018

"I'd love to see former students and teachers who I used to work with." Sandi McKee

I was privileged to be invited to the 35th class reunion of the North Allegheny Class of 1983. I loved that class of kids - so many great students with a good sense of humor, personalities plus, outstanding athletics, and a superb work ethic. I am actually good friends with several of my former students from that class, which is how I received the very special invitation to the reunion. I am so glad I went!

Although the Class of 1983 was over 700, under 100 attended the reunion, but it was just right. There was time to talk to each of my former students, and to reminisce about "the old days."

There is something so funny about the relationship between students and teachers, Students always think their teachers are SO old. While speaking with my former students on Saturday, some laughed to discover that I am now 65 and they are now 54, and our age difference is not so great after all!

I had an interesting discussion with one young man who asked me if I remembered my nickname for him - "The Big G." WE laughed about my penchant for assigning nicknames. I explained to him that I created nicknames for students so they would feel special, and that I wanted kids to feel safe and welcomed into our classroom. That was my strategy for classroom control, since all of teaching is based on relationships. I explained that by building a classroom culture of friendliness and familiarity, students would want to be on time, because they would not want to miss anything. I enjoyed seeing the expressions on my former students' faces regarding these topics of discussion, as most of them are parents, and they hear their own children talk about the teachers who "like" them. They enjoyed being in on my "teacher secrets."

The students I knew in 10th grade have become successful adults, parents, and community members. I am so proud of each one, and for the record, I must admit that I also had many of their children in class! Teaching in the same school for 35 years creates a wonderful and large circle of connections.

I was so pleased to be invited and spend some time with the North Allegheny Class of 1983. I loved them in 10th grade, and nothing has changed, except we all got a little older.

Teachers who give respect to students receive respect in return. Teaching is all about creating positive relationships, which can last for a lifetime.

As always, I welcome your comments and suggestions.

Rittman Publishing, LLC ®