"Always turn a negative situation into a positive situation." Michael Jordan

Brainy Quote  

I have lost count of the number of days I have been in quarantine.  I am a widow, and therefore, alone, but fortunate to have a good friend and neighbor, and lots of contacts with friends and family through social media, telephone, and Face Time. On Facebook, I have seen both the silly and the poignant activities of families I know, and as a view the situations from my living room, I think our quarantined nation is in for some positive changes.  I present four short ideas for your consideration.

First, after being on a breakneck schedule for years, when the quarantine is over, I think families will demand more dinners together, and more family time.  What a great gift to be able to see one's children grow and to spend time talking with them and really getting to know them! When I was in the classroom all those years, my 10th graders used to wish their parents would make more time for them.  I hope that now that parents are actually seeing their children, they will see how wonderful they are, and schedule more family time.  

Second, I think that people will become more prepared in the future.  Rather than waiting until the toilet paper roll is on the last sheet, I believe people will become more mindful of maintaining life sustaining supplies in their homes. 

Third, I believe that teachers will finally receive the respect they deserve.  During my 37 years in Education, I heard so many parents insult and demean teachers. So often, the words would be something like, "Teaching is not difficult!  I could do a better job than you do, and I don;t even have a teaching degree."   In reality, the social media posts I have been reading show the opposite!  Many parents can't even control their own child, and it seems that teaching just might be harder than it looks.  I think parents will finally realize that it is best to leave teaching to the professionals. 

Fourth, I believe first responders, doctors, nurses, the medical community, and all the grocery workers, public sanitation workers, pharmacists, and other essential personnel will find that Americans will show honor and respect to all of them, the ones who do so much.  Thank you.

Friends, we will get through this terrible time in our nation's history.  Let's make it a gentler time by treating each other with kindness.  Let's make manners important again - especially a "please" and "thank you" - such small words that speak volumes. Kindness makes everything seem better.  Stay positive, Stay safe. 

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 web page 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 ® 

"Life is 10% what happens to you and 90% how you react to it." Charles R. Swindoll

BrainyQuote

 America is in a situation that we have never seen before, and that we all hope never to see again.  Even just two short weeks ago, we could not have envisioned the cessation of life as we know it in these United States, with closures of all we are accustomed to enjoying.  It is shocking to find ourselves at home for days on end.

Even though it is only the beginning of the quarantine,   I know that one thing that can make this situation better, and that is my reaction to it. I love being out and about.  With my two books, I spend many days presenting in elementary and college classrooms. I like going shopping and "just looking" in the stores. Like you, I enjoy having a full calendar combining work and fun and friends.  I live alone, as I am a widow, and my social life saves me from loneliness.  

Not for the next few weeks.:( 

At first, I panicked internally and mentally.  I am just not a person who is at home that much. Now that I have thought it through, I plan to use this "must stay home" time to complete some home projects and work through others.  I am going to reread some favorite books - books I still think about, but do not take the time to peruse.  I am organizing my office - a monumental task, indeed! And I had some new hardwood floors laid in my living and dining rooms,  which made a lot of dust, along with a big mess that I have to put back together. When I changed the way I looked at the quarantine, I realized that suddenly I have plenty of time to do things that need to be done, and other things that I want to do. I am trying to be grateful for this unexpected gift of time.  

I urge you to halt the feeling that you are trapped at home, and look at this time as a gift.  Do some things in your house that you have been putting off.  Enjoy seeing your home in the daylight, when you are usually at work. Make a little "to do" list that makes you feel accomplished with each item you check off.  Do something nice for others.  One thing I know for sure is that it makes a person feel wonderful when doing a kindness for another!

I hope your home bound quarantine is a positive one. It is up to you.  Good luck!

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 web page 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 ® 

"It's the little conversations that build relationships and make an impact on each student." Robert John Meehan

Everything we hear on the news right now right now is about the corona virus, and schools are now reacting to keep students and staff safe.  The WHO announced today that we have a pandemic. Today, many colleges are going online and telling students to expect that they will not return to campus until next semester.

I expect school districts to follow suit, and that worries me.  For so many kids, school is their safe space and where they want to be.  For some kids. school is the one place they are truly valued. And they feel that value because of a positive relationship with a TEACHER. 

I hope teachers can continue to keep a positive and solid relationship with students, even though they are not connecting in person every day.  I fear that this period of time will not enhance learning in the same manner as seeing and being with students every day.  The little conversations in the classroom, the hall, the lunchroom, or in study hall help to form great relationships between students and teachers.  Those conversations really matter.

Teachers and students both need to hang in there.  We are in uncharted waters, and something new always provides an opportunity for growth. 

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 web page 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 ® 

"Make each day your masterpiece." John Wooden

I spend time every day reading and sharing inspirational quotes.  I like them, I like thinking about the messages, and I like applying each particular quote to my own life. Furthermore, I like sharing quotes - especially on Twitter. If you are not on Twitter, it can be a hate and anger-filled site, especially about politics.  I like to bypass all of that and share positive messages and quotes.

Guess what?  It seems that other people want to bypass the name-calling, insults, and politics, too.  Every single day, I have a score of re-tweets of my inspirational quotes, or a comment or two thinking me for posting the quote.  I think people want to feel better about the world and themselves, so I am going to keep right on sharing inspirational messages.

Just reading and sharing these kinds of messages lifts me up.  Here are a few of my favorites:

Please follow me on Twitter @dederittman for daily inspiration! 

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 web page 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 ®