This week is TEACHER APPRECIATION WEEK. I know that during my 37 years in the classroom, I was always so grateful for a kind note, a flower, or even a heartfelt thank you. My school was North Allegheny Intermediate High School, which was a building for students in grades 9 and 10. We had a very active student council led and sponsored by a very caring teacher. one year, for Teacher Appreciation Day, we were invited to a special event after school. We sat in a circle and we were blindfolded, and a student read a letter to each one of us aloud, citing our best characteristics and outlining how we made a difference in the school. Each person's letter was unique to that person. At the end, we took off the blindfolds and saw the student who wrote about us. Each teacher was presented with a T shirt that said "Teacher Appreciation Day" on the front, and listed characteristics of a good teacher. The shirts had the names of each teacher printed on the back. What a special gift that was! Although I have been involved in both the recieving end and the planning end of teacher appreciation activities, none has ever touched me the way that one did. I would guess that event probealby happened around 1995. I wore that T shirt for year - every Teacher Appreciation Day.
During my experience, I saw teachers work so hard to provide for the needs of each individual student. No one in my school had a workday that ended at 3:00. Teaching was and is a never-ending job.
I am thankful to all the teachers who helped me to become a teacher, and all those who mentored me in my career. I am thankful for all my former students who became teachers, insuring that the mantle of excellence in teaching was carried forth. Please remember to thank a teacher!
P.S. Although I retired some years ago, I still have every thank you ever given to me.
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
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!
Connect with Dede!
Twitter @dederittman
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