I am in the midst of writing a book about professional development with two teachers from Connecticut. The three of us are very passionate about helping teachers, paraprofessionals, and new staff to be the best they can be in order to help students succeed. One of the co-authors of the book is Dan Blanchard, a teacher and author I met when I was working as a producer for The Total Education Network. Dan has a book on Amazon called THE STORM: HOW YOUNG MEN BECOME GOOD MEN and he asked me to read and review it. I read the book in a single sitting on Friday, and I loved it. How I wish this book would have been around when I was teaching reluctant and struggling learners.
The book is about a young man named Dakota, who has been asked by his grandfather to meet on Dakota's birthday. Dakota is an angry young man, and the victim of an abusive father and a mother who cannot defend her children the way she wishes she could. Rather than turn his anger into more anger, Dakota turns to sports, where he can use his displeasure with his personal circumstances to make himself better at sports, with a chance to do well and to earn the respect of others. When he meets with his grandfather on his birthday, the granddaddy shares many secrets about making choices, looking at life, and understanding and learning about who Dakota is, as a boy, who on the brink of manhood. The story is told in such an easy, yet compelling, way, that it is Monday and I still find myself going back to the book to read a few lines again, and reflect upon their meaning in my own life, as well as to think about the impact such words could have upon a young person.
In my 37 years of teaching, I taught many students who were struggling with home issues, identity issues, and a lack of self-esteem. They did not know how to set goals and make a plan and stick to it. These were things we worked on when they were my students in 10th grade, but then they left and went to the senior high; so helping students to continue their efforts became a problem. How I wish I could have used Dan's book to give them an anchor, indeed, a treasure trove of guidance, that they could refer to and implement into their lives. Dan's book imparts so many important lessons to help shape young men into good men.
The book is a short, but intense, read. Dan has also created a workbook of activities to complement the book. Here is the link to Amazon - and you can peek inside the book!
https://www.amazon.com/Storm-Young-Become-Right-Question/dp/0986239828
Here is a link to the workbook:
https://www.amazon.com/Storm-Student-Workbook-Dan-Blanchard/dp/0986239844
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
No comments:
Post a Comment