"A coach will impact more people in one year than the average person will in a lifetime." Billy Graham

 

                                                                            AZ QUOTES

Pittsburgh, PA, had a significant snowfall this past week.  When Bethel Park Head Football Coach Brian DeLallo saw the forecast, he tweeted this to his players: 

"Due to expected severe weather, Monday’s weightlifting workout has been cancelled. Find an elderly or disabled neighbor and shovel their driveway.  Don’t accept any money – that’s our Monday workout." 

What an impressive lesson to teach his players! Coach Delallo instilled a sense of giving back to the community in these young men. He prompted team spirit and camaraderie, and he gave the entire team a chance to reflect upon the difference kindness can make in their neighborhoods - an beyond.  With this shared experience, team bonding was strengthened, and players felt the value of helping others.  

I love this story.  I was a coach for 33 years, and I know first-hand the value of a team lesson. I applaud Coach Delallo for his insight and his great idea. Bethel pPark High School should be proud of their football team.  

This story even made the national news - here is a link to the TODAY SHOW: https://www.today.com/parents/parents/high-school-coach-cancels-workout-tells-players-shovel-snow-rcna13079

As always, I welcome your comments and suggestions. Rittman Publishing, LLC ®

Please invite GRADY GETS GLASSES (and me) into your school, in person, or on Zoom. Email us at GradyGetsGlasses@gmail.com

I do college and university presentations for student teachers with my practical "Dede's Three C's for Classroom Success: Confidence, Communication, and Creativity" in person or via Zoom. Please email me at DedeRittman@gmail.com

Please invite Grady Gets Glasses (and me) into your school.  if you are not in the Pittsburgh area, we do virtual field trips with groups called Field Trip Zoom and Streamable learning . We will come into YOUR classroom via ZOOM. 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

Facebook   Dede Faltot Rittman or Rittman Rules

LinkedIn   Dede Rittman

Google +   Dede Rittman

Tumblr      The Bunny Teacher

Instagram   GradyGetsGlasses

Pinterest   Rittman Publishing, LLC ® . 

"Small acts, when multiplied by millions of people, can transform the world." Howard Zinn

                                                                    VisionWorks 

So often in the Autism community, those who are non verbal or those that can't be understood, find themselves in difficulties that are through doing of their own.  That is why I was so happy to see that a local suburban police department in the North Hills of Pittsburgh is leading the way to create a database for those folks they might encounter who need help.  The Ross Township Police Department has announced a new initiative to help officers to aid citizens with autism or other special needs. The department is launching a database in which a person may be registered by a family member or caregiver.  They can include a phone number, address, picture, and more information that would help the police to identify and help the registered person.  The police will have immediate access to this database from their cars, so dealing with the person and helping them could be expedited much more quickly than if the police were trying to figure out who the person is. This database could even help to identify someone with Alzheimer's or dementia who has walked away from their home. 

I think this idea is one that is long overdue.  I had the sad experience of taking my late mother-in-law, who was non verbal because of Alzheimer's,  to the emergency room of a local hospital. The personnel there are just not trained to help someone who is nonverbal.  I was so glad that I was with her, and that she did not arrive by ambulance with no one who knew her or what might be wrong with her. When I was teaching for 37 years, I interceded on behalf of several students who were on the spectrum and non verbal.  Adults in the school who did not know their proclivities were not able to help them when they needed an advocate the most. I applaud the Ross Township Police Department for stepping up to help protect our vulnerable citizens, and I hope the idea of a local database for those with special needs will catch on in other police departments across the United States. This idea could help thousands of people. 

To see the television story about this topic, please click on this link. 

https://pittsburgh.cbslocal.com/2022/01/13/ross-township-database-autism-special-needs/

As always, I welcome your comments and suggestions. Rittman Publishing, LLC ®

Please invite GRADY GETS GLASSES (and me) into your school, in person, or on Zoom. Email us at GradyGetsGlasses@gmail.com

I do college and university presentations for student teachers with my practical "Dede's Three C's for Classroom Success: Confidence, Communication, and Creativity" in person or via Zoom. Please email me at DedeRittman@gmail.com

Please invite Grady Gets Glasses (and me) into your school.  if you are not in the Pittsburgh area, we do virtual field trips with groups called Field Trip Zoom and Streamable learning . We will come into YOUR classroom via ZOOM. 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

Facebook   Dede Faltot Rittman or Rittman Rules

LinkedIn   Dede Rittman

Google +   Dede Rittman

Tumblr      The Bunny Teacher

Instagram   GradyGetsGlasses

Pinterest   Rittman Publishing, LLC ® . 

"It is always too soon to quit." Rudy Ruettiger

 

                                                                        STRIVE 

I admit it. I am a sucker for all underdogs!  When the movie "Rudy" is on television, I have to watch it for at least a few minutes.  And what about that glorious  ending, when Rudy gets the chance to play the last few seconds of the game, to make the sack, and to fulfill his childhood and lifelong dream?  It is so exhilarating!  I love seeing the underdog win, and I smile and cry every time. "Rudy" will always be one of my favorite sports films.

I watched "Rudy" over Christmas vacation, and I believe that the lessons from this film can be inspirational to us all, especially in the bleakness of winter during a continuing pandemic. Regardless of the difficulty, physical or mental, Rudy does not give up.  Even when he does not know where he will be sleeping or where he will get his next meal, he stays the course of steering toward his dream. He will not quit.

Just like many others, I have a business, and the pandemic has been brutal.  I depend on sales from presenting my two books in person at schools and universities, and that has not happened in more than two years.  My accountant says "You should never quit a business during a pandemic," and so I stay.  It is difficult to keep working with no rewards, but I will not give up. Maybe the same is happening in your life right now, and maybe you need a little reminder that you can do it.  We are nearing the end of the pandemic, I can just feel it, and I hope and pray for it every day. Hold on to your dreams!  Hoping a little shared inspiration will help you to hang on.  "It is always too soon to quit." Rudy Ruettiger 

As always, I welcome your comments and suggestions. Rittman Publishing, LLC ®

Please invite GRADY GETS GLASSES (and me) into your school, in person, or on Zoom. Email us at GradyGetsGlasses@gmail.com

I do college and university presentations for student teachers with my practical "Dede's Three C's for Classroom Success: Confidence, Communication, and Creativity" in person or via Zoom. Please email me at DedeRittman@gmail.com

Please invite Grady Gets Glasses (and me) into your school.  if you are not in the Pittsburgh area, we do virtual field trips with groups called Field Trip Zoom and Streamable learning . We will come into YOUR classroom via ZOOM. 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

Facebook   Dede Faltot Rittman or Rittman Rules

LinkedIn   Dede Rittman

Google +   Dede Rittman

Tumblr      The Bunny Teacher

Instagram   GradyGetsGlasses

Pinterest   Rittman Publishing, LLC ® . 

"A fresh start isn't a new place, it's a new mindset."

 

                                                                       

                                                                               Twenty

One of the best things about a new year is the idea of a fresh start.  Everyone has at least one thing they want to throw away from the previous year and never see again, and in this second year of the pandemic, my guess is that many folks want to throw away MANY things.

A fresh start means you have another chance; in fact, you can toss out the ideas that didn't work last year and focus on creating some new ones.  A fresh start means a new beginning, and new beginnings stir excitement. A fresh start means a clean slate is waiting for whatever you choose to do with it.

The new year has motivated me.  My book sales and business, like so many others, are sadly lacking sales because of the pandemic.  I rely on presenting in schools and colleges to sell my books and ideas, and no one is getting into those buildings right now, in some cases, not even the students!  I have been working on new ideas for getting my presence out to the world again, and I will not be deterred!  A two year break is long enough, and the pandemic can't last much longer (I hope). So, I have chosen a new mindset!  I am also going to work harder at doing more for others, and clearing our more "stuff" from my condo.  I started that at this time last year, and de-cluttering has made me feel so much better, that I am continuing the process. 

I wish you much success and happiness in the new year, and I hope you will create loving and beautiful memories. 

May you never forget what is worth remembering or remember what is best forgotten. Irish Proverb

HAPPY NEW YEAR! 

As always, I welcome your comments and suggestions. Rittman Publishing, LLC ®

Please invite GRADY GETS GLASSES (and me) into your school, in person, or on Zoom. Email us at GradyGetsGlasses@gmail.com

I do college and university presentations for student teachers with my practical "Dede's Three C's for Classroom Success: Confidence, Communication, and Creativity" in person or via Zoom. Please email me at DedeRittman@gmail.com

Please invite Grady Gets Glasses (and me) into your school.  if you are not in the Pittsburgh area, we do virtual field trips with groups called Field Trip Zoom and Streamable learning . We will come into YOUR classroom via ZOOM. 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

Facebook   Dede Faltot Rittman or Rittman Rules

LinkedIn   Dede Rittman

Google +   Dede Rittman

Tumblr      The Bunny Teacher

Instagram   GradyGetsGlasses

Pinterest   Rittman Publishing, LLC ® .