Sometimes, a story on the news touches the former teacher in me, so I have to share it. These stories I share are usually about Education, or sometimes, inspiration, or both. I am sharing a beautiful story today that I wish would be practiced by every school in the nation! With all the stories about teen stress, trauma, and depression, along with broken families and homelessness, some retired folks are helping kids by volunteering in the music department In Rockford, Illinois. These volunteers, the "Band Grandpas." are helping kids to do better at music, school, and life. Really, who couldn't like having another Grandpa!
These volunteers share a lifelong love of music and learning, which they are modeling for a large group of students in band, orchestra, and chorus. Additionally, they work with the students, teaching them that it is OK to make mistakes, and helping them to strengthen their resolve to learn and perform better, along with the knowledge that music is a lifetime activity.
What a beautiful story! Students who might not have a grandparent in their lives gain a "Band Grandpa" to help them through school and life. These "Band Grandpas" seem to be making a real difference in the lives of these students, and in return, they receive a "thank you" that means more than money.
I believe this program could be beneficial throughout the United States. Think back to a mentor you had in your youth. An encouraging mentor can make all the difference for a person! A good mentor has the ability to help a person see their own personal strengths, and to build upon them. A mentor helps to put disappointment and failure in perspective, and to turn roadblocks into hope and success through effort. A mentor shows students who they can become.
If you have not seen this short piece on NBC News, please take a look at this link. It will make you smile! https://www.facebook.com/nbcnightlynews/videos/282008906047011/?
v=282008906047011
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 and 2018 (new edition) from The Authors' Zone.Grady also won a 2018 prestigious Moonbeam Award for Best Children's Book with Merchandise.
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 taught in the same school building for 35 years. North Allegheny Intermediate High School was an extraordinary school filled with talented teachers, caring administrative leaders, great kids, and a wonderful support staff, from the paraprofessionals to the secretaries and custodians. The adults in the building worked together to help our 9th and 10th grade students have a positive experience during their two year stint at our school.
Today, I heard a story about one of my favorite custodians, a man I will call Jerry, who lost his life to cancer years ago. This story begins with one of my teacher friends counseling a student in her classroom after school. This student was so despondent - he was constantly comparing himself to others in his class, and focusing on his perceived negative qualities. He was lamenting his lack of popularity and lack of any prospects for a girlfriend. He visited with this teacher on several occasions, and she sensed that he was becoming more desperate and that he might be going to hurt himself as he fell deeper into teen angst.
During one after school chat, Jerry came into the room to empty the trash can, and he became a part of the conversation with the teacher and the young man. Jerry had a very easy way with people, and his casual conversation struck a chord with the depressed young man. The teacher noted that the boy started seeking Jerry out after school, walking with him room to room, helping him to empty all those trash cans, while deep in conversation about life. Trust was formed, and the student/custodian friendship grew, and after a while, this meaningful connection with the custodian helped to lift this boy out of depression.
Sometimes, we just need one person to care. We need one person to reach out and connect with us, and we never know just who that person is going to be until we meet him. I smiled as the teacher finished her story. I remembered all the great things about Jerry, including his sense of humor and his laid back way of looking at life. Even though we were good friends, Jerry never told me this story all those years ago. I heard it for the first time today, and it made me smile.
This story is just one of many similar stories from my former school. Caring and connections between staff members and students helped our kids to be successful and our building to win many awards. When I read about schools in which student test scores are unacceptable and morale is low, I believe the school is not working hard enough to include everyone and to make everyone feel connected to the school community.
Teaching is all about relationships. School communities should all about relationships and caring, or the students will not benefit from an inclusive and supportive environment, which will limit their personal success.
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 and 2018 (new edition) from The Authors' Zone.Grady also won a 2018 prestigious Moonbeam Award for Best Children's Book with Merchandise.
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 ®
Like thousands of other Americans, I am shocked by the scandal involving rich parents paying huge sums of money for their children to be accepted into prestigious universities. Some had the answers changed on the SAT and the ACT; some pretended their children were talented athletes. This whole thing makes me feel physically sick.
For all the years I was in the classroom, my colleagues and I helped our students to develop better study habits to get higher grades to apply for college. We taught strategies to make the best choices on questions in order to score higher on the required standardized tests. We handed out suggested reading lists and recommended courses, community service, and more. We encouraged the students to believe in themselves, and we told the students that their hard work would be rewarded.
WRONG. Not if these selfish parents have their way.
I have to think - what about all the worthy students who were NOT granted admission to the university of their choice, because parents cheated and paid cash for their own kids to get in? These cheaters and elitists deserve to have the book thrown at them. What terrible examples they set for their own children, and I feel sorry for the kids who did not know their parents did this. I am sure they are having some real feelings of worthlessness right now, that Mommy and Daddy did not believe in them enough to allow them to make the grade on their own - instead, they paid for their kids to be accepted. And what makes these cheaters think that their kids are more deserving than a hard working student from the middle class?
I hope the big name universities are punished for their part in this "Operation Varsity Blues." What an embarrassment for Brown and Yale and USC and the others to have their names tarnished in this criminal activity.
This scandal has only just begun. I have the feeling that more and more famous names will come to light. I hope both students and parents can learn from this terrible cheating scandal. And I hope the most worthy candidates are awarded a place in their chosen university.
Here is a link to the scandal: https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/feds-uncover-massive-college-entrance-exam-cheating-plot-n982136?fbclid=IwAR2_bo2f1fs85Y6VgXGjzkl_roKjws0nyvuOaB0w7BzHWmXFr8UC-lMFpuc
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 and 2018 (new edition) from The Authors' Zone.Grady also won a 2018 prestigious Moonbeam Award for Best Children's Book with Merchandise.
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 ®
When I was in the classroom for those wonderful 37 years, I can remember many students saying to me, "Mrs. Rittman, you really LIKE teaching." I would always answer the same way : "No, I don't like teaching; I LOVE teaching." My enjoyment of the position, along with coaching golf and directing shows, really resonated with the students, which was not a surprise to me. People enjoy being around those who are happy in their work. The kids knew which teachers were simply "putting in time" until retirement, but they really gravitated to those who enjoyed their work.
As teachers, we try to teach our students to be upbeat, and not defeated. We try to instill a positive outlook and a "can do" attitude in their psyches, but these things are not possible unless we model that same behavior. Teachers have many responsibilities, but I think helping students to be positive is a gift that will last for a lifetime.
The picture above with the quote by Zig Ziglar would be an excellent classroom resource to be displayed in your classroom. I know it will generate questions and some very teachable moments.
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 and 2018 (new edition) from The Authors' Zone.Grady also won a 2018 prestigious Moonbeam Award for Best Children's Book with Merchandise.
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 ®
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