Brainy Quote
I am a big fan of written thank you notes and notes of appreciation.
Last week, while cleaning out some files from all my years of teaching, I found several thank you notes from colleagues, all on the same beige stationery with matching envelopes. Suddenly, I remembered the faculty meeting where that stationery was handed out, and we were asked to finish the faculty meeting by letting a colleague know they were appreciated by writing them a note. I would guess that these notes are from somewhere around 1998, when we had a great principal who would create such a positive event.
As I read the words on those notes.my heart became so full, as if I were reading them for the first time. Good feelings washed over me as I recalled helping one person with lessons when she were new; coaching another teacher on the golf course; planning social activities for the faculty, and so much more. I really loved both teaching and the camaraderie of a great faculty. I remember that I looked forward to going to school each new year, and every single day.
If you are a teacher or principal reading my post today, why not organize a "written appreciation" event? Thank you notes and notes of appreciation are small reminders of what others see as good in us, and they should be kept in a desk drawer and read when the soul and spirit need to be refreshed and uplifted. I am so glad I found these notes. In this time of isolation and pandemic, I feel so blessed that I found notes of appreciation to take me back in time, and to remind me that in our school, we all made a difference - to each other, and to our students.
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
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Twitter @dederittman
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