"Great things come from hard work and perseverance. No excuses." Kobe Bryant

I did not know Kobe Bryant and his family, yet I feel like many other Americans feel.  I feel like I just lost a good friend.  I followed his amazing leap from high school basketball to the professional league, and we all watched in awe as he rose to the top of the game.  He was quite a role model for young people.  As a teacher, I liked so many of the traits that comprised Kobe Bryant and made others want to be like him.  Here are my top five favorite Kobe quotes that match five of his wonderful traits. 

1.  Kobe's work ethic. 

2. Kobe's desire to succeed.

3. Kobe's optimistic viewpoint.

4.  Kobe's attitude toward failure.

5.  Kobe's desire to help and inspire others.

The world has so few real heroes.  Kobe was just entering the part of his life in which he could share even more of himself with his family and others.

Rest in peace, Kobe Bryant, and thank you for the beautiful person you were, and for inspiring us to be beautiful, too.  


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!
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