"No significant learning can occur without a significant relationship." James Comer

I have always been honest with my readers, and I am not about to change. To tell the truth, right now, in this pandemic, I am glad that I am retired and don't have to teach remotely.  I would not mind the technology, but I really would mind the distance. I would just miss my students too much.

Teacher friends are so sad, because that personal relationship with the kids is just not there, and caring, respectful, and nurturing relationships are the most beautiful part of teaching.  I have seen lots of teachers doing  car parades through neighborhoods, phone calls home, and sending personal notes, but the one thing I loved the most about the classroom was the day to day involvement with my students, along with sharing some glimpses into their lives. I think most teachers feel that way, and that is why so many teachers are as depressed as their students. 

No one knows what is going to happen, but I do know that EVERYONE I know wants to go back to school in the Fall.  Parents have endured enough of wearing the teacher hat!  It is difficult to do one's job from home without adding parenting and teaching into that mix 24/7.  When this is over, I believe teachers will finally be appreciated.

I want to share something beautiful with you from the school where I taught for 35 years.  North Allegheny is a huge school, in terms of numbers and talents.  Here is the North Allegheny virtual choir singing a song I never heard of, but now love.  I will also give you the link to how the director was able to put this all together.  Here's hoping you will be inspired!  This is a great way to stay connected to the kids! 

Baba Yetu   

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-tudFfRw80o&feature=youtu.be&fbclid=IwAR06pdGaODYupiK4VLdlrxirT8idc9sXiT23ZtVL4hK7ihTLN0Y9L3MTyZ4 

And how the director and kids put this beautiful piece together.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iT529gUS8fQ&feature=youtu.be&fbclid=IwAR2_DUy-PvNpjF_StahwodxPUmdrCruZeeRM9TrWcs1wCYG5ug2qQCHsI5c

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 ® 

"Time is free, but it's priceless." Harvey Mackay

Rockwell Global Media 

All human beings are influenced by their surroundings and the people closest to them.  For 9 months a year, teachers are usually some of the biggest influencers for kids, but not this year.  This year is is all about the parents, the siblings, and how a child chooses to spend alone time. 

I have been thinking about how the pandemic and being at home is changing some kids.  I can think of one young friend - an amazing musician who plays many instruments - and he is happier on the home schedule than he ever was at school.  He sleeps in, does his lessons, and spends the remainder of his time practicing and composing and honing his talents.  I think the time from the pandemic has served him very well.  His story makes me wonder about whether great things will happen because people had time to spend on something they love. 

I saw a story on KDKA TV last night about pop artist Burton Morris.  Turns out, he was in a body cast for months as a child, and he could only move his arms, so he spent every day (all day) drawing, which led to his occupation, as well as his fame and fortune. Maybe that same thing will happen to thousands of kids who have the time to explore what they love for endless hours, and as a consequence, our world will become more beautiful.

Parents must continue to encourage their children to find and follow their passions for learning in this most unusual time in our country's history.  Who knows what genius may be inspired? 

Here is the link to the Burton Morris story. 

https://pittsburgh.cbslocal.com/2020/04/22/start-of-burton-morris-career/

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 ® 

"The true happiness of a man is having a clear conscience and being useful for humanity." Leo Tolstoy

www.statusmind.com 

As the lock down of the pandemic continues, I must ask you what you are doing for others.  This is not because I am a devoted humanitarian (although, I actually am), but because I have found that one of the keys to my happiness while living alone is to do something for others.  

My late husband and I were major photographers, and I am looking through ALL of our pictures.  We took pictures - of everywhere we went; of all of our 4th of July and Labor Day picnics for one hundred or more; of lavish dinner parties for 20; and of the little things - a pet squirrel in our backyard named Freddy; and of Binky Rittman, the bunny I received as a gift from my students who loved to be 12 years old. We were also in a local theater group, for which I was historian, so add another 500 pictures to look through. I have been working on this project for 8 days, so far.

Each picture is a memory - and I am scanning some to send in email or Facebook messenger, and sending some in snail mail.  My den is a mess - piles of pictures; old albums, now torn apart; stacks of addressed envelopes for picture recipients; and new picture containers.  I spent more than 4 days scanning more than 100 pictures and programs from shows for the New Kensington Civic Theatre Facebook page, and the happiness from so many folks seeing those memories online was well worth the time!  I found pictures of my 9 nephews that are so precious, and their parents did not have these pictures. I found pictures from my Theatre classes at school, when kids presented their set designs to the class, and I scanned and sent those on Messenger.  I even found pictures from the golf teams I have coached and sent those to my former players electronically.  All the recipients were so happy.

I feel accomplished.  I am clearing and organizing my hoard of pictures, and I am making others happy in the process.  During this time of pandemic, I feel like even a small distraction can help, so I am trying to do my part.  I am being useful for humanity.

I invite you to think about others during this shut-in, and you will feel happier because you did.  Stay safe, friends. 

One of the memories I found - of a February day in 1985 after a fresh snowfall, on the day after my late husband bought a new camera and lens.

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 ® 

"I think it is important to have closure in any relationship that ends . . ." Jennifer Aniston

Yesterday, Governor Wolf of Pennsylvania announced that all schools, public and private, would be closed for the remainder of the school year. Social media was filled with sad posts from my friends who are teachers - posts about all the "lasts" the seniors would be missing, like prom and class play and graduation - and other posts about closure for all kids.  My heart broke as I read their words, as they were posting the ideas I was already thinking.  So many memories are about to be lost in these next few months.

Teaching is entirely about relationships. People who have solid relationships care about each other and about their respective feelings.  Students and teachers need to be able to express their feelings of concern and love, and have closure before moving on to the next grade, the next school year, or the next teacher.  I remember the last days of the school year for my 37 years in the classroom!  I taught 10th grade, and the kids would move to the high school for 11th grade, so we would have a true physical separation when they left my classroom.  After giving my closing remarks, I used to stand in front of the door, arms out, blocking entry and exit, and say, "Don't go!  I love your class!  Stay with me in 10th grade one more year!  I don't want you to leave!"  This antic always elicited both smiles and tears, but it was a good way to close for all of us.  The kids knew that were loved, and I had the chance to express my concern and care for them.  Many hugs were given on those last days of school; something that could not happen today. 

So, what can you do as a teacher in these trying cyber circumstances? I encourage teachers to write a sort of "love letter" to their students to help with closure.  The letter can be to an entire class, but make sure you mention every child.  You may want to write a reflection of your time spent together up to the time of the pandemic, and then give them some advice and hope for the future.  Let them know that each one will always be your student, no matter what the virus and pandemic have done to our world.  I think your students will sleep better knowing they are loved by their teacher, even if it is from afar.  From my experience, it is a letter they will cherish and reread often. Kids crave the attention and love of their teachers. 

I give this advice because this is the action I would take.  Kids need closure, and so do teachers.  Who knows?  Teachers just might receive some heartfelt responses, which would help their own minds and souls to be strong. 

Best to all of you in self-quarantine.  Stay safe, stay healthy. 

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 is health that is real wealth and not pieces of gold and silver." Mahatma Gandhi

Our country is facing an incredibly difficult time that no one has ever faced before.  Anxiety and stress levels are sky high as Americans attempt to cope with staying home for weeks on end to fight an invisible enemy.  

I can't help but think of my dear late father.  When World War !! happened, he was a young man who had to complete basic training and deploy immediately.  He was overseas for several years, with no access to phone calls, FaceTime, Zoom, Instagram, Snapchat, and email.  Dad told me he lived for the letters he received, which were few and far between.  He was a young man, separated from his family, afraid and uncertain of his future.  I think all the veterans who served in wars had a much more dangerous and scary mission than we have in this current war, as we self-isolate and stay home. I am grateful for my father's and so many veterans' service, and I am also grateful for the electronics that keep me connected to my family and friends. 


Those years in the army changed my dad, and I think these weeks in the house will change all of us.  At this point, I am just not sure of how we will change, not yet.  But I think families will become closer and work will become less important. I have to think about that question some more. 

Best to all of you in self-quarantine.  Stay safe, stay healthy. 

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 ®