Thursday, July 30, 2020

"Different, not less." The employment Toolkit for Job Seekers with Autism



One of the fun things about having a blog is the people one meets online.  Occasionally, someone will contact me and ask if I will permit them to be a guest blogger on my page, or  they will ask if I will share their information. That happened this week.

A gal named Erica Francis works at a group called READY JOB.  She helps to develop lesson plans and other resources, all geared toward helping the site's visitors to build the skills they need to excel in any workplace. 

Ready Job is working on creating some social media accounts to help advertise their offerings.  I support them, so I am sharing their information.  Please share this post with friends and colleagues who are helping a person with autism to realize his/her goals. Erica has put together a treasure trove of information! Check out their siye! 

Good luck, Erica! Thanks for reaching out!  Dede

The Employment Toolkit for Job Seekers with Autism

Image via Rawpixel


For individuals on the autism spectrum, finding and keeping a job can seem challenging, especially given that 85 percent of adults with autism don't have a job or are underemployed. Fortunately, with the right tools, tips, and support, you can find the right job for you and turn it into a success. As you navigate the job search, use the following employment toolkit as your guide. 


Getting Started

Free Career Aptitude and Career Assessment Tests

31 Great Jobs for Autistic People in a Huge Range of Industries

Protections Against Employment Discrimination

CV and Resume Writing Tips for Job Candidates on the Autism Spectrum


Applying for Jobs

Get Assistance With Your Job Search

27 Companies Who Hire Adults With Autism

Where to Search and Apply for Jobs Online


Interviewing for a Job

Autism Interview Tips for Job Seekers

Handling Disability Disclosure When Applying For Work

Tips to Help You Sell Your Soft Skills During an Interview


Making Your New Job a Success

Apps for Adults with Autism

Tips and Tricks for Successful Telecommuting

Designing a Home Office to Fit Your Lifestyle

9 Simple Ways to Deal With Stress at Work




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. 




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 readingSigned copies are available  www.dederittman.com 


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!  

Teacher friends- 
 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
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 ® 

Thursday, July 23, 2020

"KINDNESS It costs nothing, but means everything."


Kindness Quotes for Kids

I had a conversation with a friend about the thoughtless and heartless actions and words of some doctors who lack bedside manners.  When he was just 14, Bob's dad had cancer surgery.  When the doctor stopped by post-surgery, he flipped his hand in the air and said "Three months."  Then, he was on his way, leaving the patient and his family devastated with no doctor to discuss any further options.  My friend was so angry, that even these 40 years later, I could see the rage in his face about being treated that way.

I understood his feelings, as I have had some similar experiences with doctors, as well as with college professors. I also remember my mother's frustration with my little brother's teachers, when he was seriously ill for a year and missed so much school.  She was so concerned about him being left behind, and the teachers simply "blew her off."  So much for her efforts to be the best parent possible.

Although teachers are not doctors, we must strive to practice our best "desk side manner," now more than ever.  In this time of COVID 19 with so much uncertainty, we must put ourselves in the shoes of the parents, who are afraid for their children, whether they are physically in school or schooling at home. No parent wants his child to fall behind, and every parent wants what is best for his child. 

Teachers face huge challenges this coming school year, and I urge all to view from the parent's perspective, and to be as kind as possible.  Although no one knows how long this pandemic will last or the repercussions of the disease, everyone has the ability to be a little kinder than is necessary.

"KINDNESS It costs nothing, but means everything."

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 readingSigned 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
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 ® 


































Thursday, July 16, 2020

"To learn to read is to light a fire." Victor Hugo




The Daily Quipple.com 


I have loved reading for my entire life.  In fact, my love of words and reading were two of the reasons I became an English teacher.  As a young child, we had only a few books in the house, and I could read them all cover to cover before beginning kindergarten at age 4.  In junior high, I read all the fiction books in the small school library, taking home 4-6 books every Friday.  I read the Richard's Topical Encyclopedia set we had at home, and even now, at age 67, I still have the first book I ever bought on the Scholastic book form in 6th grade (with my own money.)  I always wanted more books in our house, but my parents couldn't afford them.  Every summer. twice a week, I walked the mile to and from the plaza to go to the Bookmobile. 

I created a classroom lending library during my 37 years as a teacher, persuading many students who "hated reading" to give it a try. I introduced kids to other kids in different classes so the "readers" could make extra friends to exchange books and ideas. I loved helping readers to find each other.

In these COVID times, reading offers a calm and magical way to pass the time in the house.  I am not sure what will happen in the Fall, but I read an article today about creating a virtual book club for students that sounds really interesting.  I know that teachers already have so much to do, but I think a virtual book club could really help the kids who are struggling with too much alone time or family time at home.  Here is the link to the project: 

Whether school is virtual or in person, kids still need the support of their teachers.  If you decide to give this a try, please let me know how it goes.  Happy reading! 

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 readingSigned 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
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 ® 



Thursday, July 9, 2020

"Teaching is a calling too. I've always thought teachers in their way are holy -angels leading their flocks out of darkness." Jeannette Walls

  
Godcast

July 4 has come and gone, so the opening of school is not very far away.  I am sure that many teachers are on edge about the opening of school, as I would be if I were not retired.  After all,  schools are not made for physical distancing, and neither are kids.  In fact, I am having difficulty visualizing the way classrooms will look in a few months, and I do not envy the teachers who must monitor and adjust their lessons and their lives.

I am a huge fan of teachers - believing that for most, teaching is a true calling, and that once a child is in their classroom, that child will forever be "one of my kids."   I applaud all that teachers have done during the pandemic to try to make a kind of routine and normalcy for kids in their classrooms, when nothing could be normal. I further applaud their efforts in creativity with assignments, and making kids feel connected, even though it was through computer learning. I loved reading about the teacher parades through neighborhoods to reconnect at the end of the school year - a special closure that was needed by both kids and the teacher.

I am not sure what will happen with the coming school year, but I am asking all my teacher readers to take a pause to think about all that you have done for kids since the beginning of the pandemic.  Think about what you changed, what you created, and how you became an even better teacher. Bask in that for a few minutes before you begin to worry about the future.

No one knows what will happen, but I do know this.  Just like the quote reads at the beginning of this post,  teachers are angels who will lead their flocks from the darkness to the light, regardless of the situation or conditions.  Please continue to be the best teacher you can be.  Kids and parents are depending on 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 readingSigned 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
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 ® 





Thursday, July 2, 2020

"Education is not preparation for life; education is life itself." John Dewey

  





I live in Allegheny County, which includes Pittsburgh, PA.  Like much of the rest of the country, our stores and restaurants were closed down for about 3 months during the pandemic. Thanks to increased COVID 19 numbers surging, all restaurants, bars, and casinos will close at midnight tonight for one week, So many small business owners are struggling to keep their businesses alive; the entire scenario is heartbreaking.  No graduations, no wedding receptions, no funeral gatherings, no anniversary parties, nothing.

What will happen when school begins again?

Pediatricians say that kids NEED to be in school. They believe that in-school personal instruction is more important than COVID 19.  School provides much more than instruction -  many kids eat two meals a day at school;  school is the place where kids learn social behavior and leadership skills; and school is the place to find friends and a mentor, just to name a few. Yet, I am afraid of what will happen when school begins, in fact, I am terrified that so many children will become ill and take the infection home to parents, grandparents, and siblings. 

I have no answer,  I have read so much about the pandemic of 1918, and in some ways, this one is similar.  But even the scientists can't make a foolproof prediction about what will happen, so I surely don't know. 

I want kids to be back to school for so many reasons. I hope it can happen.

To read the article in the LA Times regarding pediatricians' advice about school, here is the link: https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2020-06-03/coronavirus-school-return-risks 

 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 readingSigned 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
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 ®