"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 ®

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 

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