"Appreciation is a wonderful thing: it makes what is excellent in others belong to us as well." Voltaire

Two former colleagues passed away withing the past week, and both were extraordinary educators. Both shared a great passion for knowledge, teaching, and both the written and the spoken word. Both had high expectations of their students, and they shared a strong belief in their respective students. Both were revered.  Links to their obituaries are posted on a school/community Facebook page, and the accolades written by past students are so touching. The two English teachers who passed would have been both embarrassed and delighted to read the comments written by their former students.  Reading these expressions of grief and gratitude made me think this thought:  I hope those students took the time to write a personal note or make a phone call to show their appreciation for these two teachers while they were still alive, rather than extolling praise after they passed.

Showing appreciation to others is so important.  Because teachers never have a "finished product", positive feedback is a gift.   Teaching is so stressful and demanding, trying to make accommodations for so many individual students, that a small note or any form of of appreciation is a real "pick me up"  on any draining and busy day.  I saved every note given to me by my students and their parents, and many of my teacher friends did, too. I used to keep some of the notes in my desk drawer, and on a particularly difficult day, I would read those notes, and the notes would give me the energy and the impetus to continue.

Did this post make you think of a favorite teacher, or a special teacher who made you believe in yourself?  Today is a great day to write a short note or make a phone call.  Sharing your message of gratitude will lift both of you!  In this week of Thanksgiving, show your thanks. "Appreciation is a wonderful thing: it makes what is excellent in others belong to us as well." Voltaire 

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 ®