Lessons Learned from the Bunny Teacher: September 2019

Wednesday, September 25, 2019

"A teacher affects eternity; he can never tell where his influence stops." Henry Adams

I drove home from church last Sunday a back way on some country roads rather than taking the freeway. The drive was so relaxing, and as I turned a corner, I suddenly found myself passing the home of my 6th grade teacher, Miss Malcolm. Suddenly, I was 10 years old and back in Birdville School. I remembered the classroom perfectly - Miss Malcolm liked everything to be neat, and the desks were arranged around the outside perimeter of the room, side by side. In my memory, I could reach inside the cavity of the desk and retrieve my individual learning math book, where I solved the problem and slid a red plastic strip down the side to reveal the answer. (Even then, I thought that "new math" was a stupid way to learn!) I could see the books arranged on Miss Malcolm's desk - and I remembered the dust jacket of a new book she bought titled TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD. (Little did I know then that I would become an English teacher and teach that book for 35 of my 37 years.)

Miss Malcolm was sometimes a little stern but fun, with a great sense of humor (a necessity for teaching 6th grade!) She was the third teacher I had (after Mrs. McLaughlin in 4th grade and Miss Cook in 5th grade) who recognized that I could finish a task in one fourth of the time it took the others. By 6th grade, I was reading above college level. (Reading was a gift - but math and science were not.) After a few mischievous events occurred when I was bored in class, Miss Malcolm began bringing books into class for me to read when I was finished, thus eliminating the possibility that I would disrupt the others who were still working. It was a great plan - I loved to read, and she had peace and quiet in her classroom.

Miss Malcolm was a great listener who always seemed to know the answer, and I talked about her at home to my parents incessantly. Turns out, my parents were friends with her parents, and our teacher/student bond grew even closer. Miss Malcolm took a special interest in me. She treated me like a friend, and I knew she was trying to broaden my world and knowledge. She took me to see GONE WITH THE WIND on the big screen in downtown Pittsburgh one Saturday afternoon; sometimes we went roller skating together; and sometimes I went to church with her. She stayed with my brothers and me for a weekend when my parents went to daddy's army reunion. She was a great friend, and one of the reasons I became a teacher.

We did not see each other very often through the past 30 years, and she passed in October of 2015 at age 76. I sometimes wrote her a card or a note, thanking her for being such a great teacher, role model, and friend. Through the years when we encountered each other at local events, I reiterated my appreciation for her guidance and love, and told her she shaped me as a teacher and role model for others.

I am so glad that I took the time to write and speak my thanks to Miss Malcolm, and I am grateful for the memories and time of reflection, all because of of passing her house while driving. Her influence on my life has been immeasurable.

This recollection brings me offer this advice: If you appreciate a person, tell them now. Don't wait. Life and time are both so fleeting, and no one is guaranteed a tomorrow.

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 and a company called www.StreamableLearning.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
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Thursday, September 19, 2019

"Kids don't learn from people they don't like." Rita Pierson

I drove past my old school yesterday, and memories of my 35 years in that building flooded my mind. I loved school, and I would have taught for 40 years (or more) if my late husband had not been diagnosed with stage 4 colon cancer. I still miss having my own classroom and "my kids."

I spend many hours reading about the latest practices in Education, and just as much time posting on Facebook and Twitter about Education, as I promote both my book for student teachers and my children's book. No matter what the articles suggest to make teachers and administrators better, I still think the best advice is to show the students you care about them as individuals, and show them kindness and empathy. Even the most belligerent student will eventually be worn down by kindness and caring. I know this is true because I taught challenged learners for 36 of my 37 years in the classroom. It may take months, as well as voluminous amounts of patience on the part of the teacher, but I never had a student who did not come around to see things my way - and to see himself in a different light.

In my opinion, the best school experience happens when both the students and the teachers are happy in their relationships and classroom. Sure, extraneous parts of the school like administration and school boards have their impact, but the most important part for the student is the classroom teacher. Kindness matters. Giving respect matters. Setting high expectations and goals matters. Being a caring person who has the best interest of the child and lets them know that important information matters the most.

Here's to all the great teachers making a difference every day through kindness and caring. Kids deserve the best we have to offer.

"Be kind whenever possible. It is always possible." The 14th Dalai Lama

As always, I welcome your comments and suggestions.
Rittman Publishing, LLC ®

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Thursday, September 12, 2019

"Success consists of going from failure to failure without loss of enthusiasm." Winston Churchill

School is in full swing, and some students will be giving up in a few short months or less. I know this because I was a teacher for 37 years, and I say to all my teacher readers - do not let this happen!

I taught challenged learners for 36 of my 37 years in the classroom. Some had major reading or learning disabilities. Some were struggling with addiction issues that prevented them from learning. Some had a dysfunctional home life, and although they did better when they were at school, the gaps in their education really hurt them by the tenth grade. For some, my English class was their first "regular" class, meaning not in the special education room.

I loved all of these students, but I had to really work hard to boost them to believe in themselves and try again. Many felt isolated and insecure, but I found a way to show them they were not alone. I also praised small steps and attempts, which led to bigger strides and more self confidence, which led to success.

Although the Internet was not around for my entire career, I found stories about the failures of famous people they knew. I told them about poor Thomas Edison, whose entire workshop, filled with years of his work and hundreds of prototypes, burned to the ground, forcing him to begin anew. That is real perseverance. I told them about Walt Disney's many failures, working in a freezing office with one little mouse running around, and how that mouse became a name we all recognize - Mickey Mouse.

I believe that these stories of real people who failed multiple times helped my students to keep their enthusiasm and try again. Of course, teacher enthusiasm is a necessary ingredient to help the students to keep working.

Here is a link to some stories of famous failures, and the people did NOT give up! Maybe this site will help your students.
https://www.uky.edu/~eushe2/Pajares/OnFailingG.html

Teachers work so hard to provide content, but often, creating a supportive environment for students to lean from their failures and persevere is equal in importance.

Good luck with all your students this year!

As always, I welcome your comments and suggestions.
Rittman Publishing, LLC ®

Thursday, September 5, 2019

"He that loves reading has everything within his reach." William Godwin

Glad Readers

The Pittsburgh Public School District recently released numbers for reading scores that show the district 3rd graders ability to read has fallen dramatically. According to the article, students who can't read proficiently by grade 3 are four times less likely to graduate, and the overall life outcome is lower than the norm. Although the district has spent millions on Ed Tech, scores have gone from 11.7% non proficient to 17.9% non proficient. Even more alarming - 62% of African American students are NOT proficient in reading.

Several years ago, a panel of teachers recommended that a specific reading program called Ready Gen NOT be purchased for the school district to use. The superintendent ignored the recommendation and purchased it anyway. Teachers say the program lacks a phonics base. They don't like it, and students are clearly not benefiting from it.

Reading is so fundamental - it is the one skill every student must have to be successful. Clearly, the teachers are trying, but the program is not working.

This story should shout a clear message to superintendents. LISTEN to your teacher advisory boards. The teachers are the ones in the classroom every day, and their voices should lead your way.

I am not sure what will happen in the Pittsburgh Public Schools, but I worry for those children, and for their leadership at the top.

Here is a link to the story: https://pittsburgh.cbslocal.com/2019/09/03/pittsburgh-public-schools-low-reading-scores/

As always, I welcome your comments and suggestions.
Rittman Publishing, LLC ®