TED Conferences on LinkedIn Platon Portrait Photographer
I have long believed that teaching is completely about relationships - and for me, relationships are all about empathy. Through my 37 years in the classroom, I loved my job and my students. I recognized them, not as "kids", but as individuals I wanted to get to know and people I wanted to encourage to be the best they could be. I wanted to help them be successful. I think because of these feelings, I had very few behavior problems in my classroom. The reason - as told to me by hundreds of students - is this: "You never forgot how it felt to be a student. You get us."
Isn't that what all of life is really about? The most satisfying relationships we have are the ones in which we feel that personal connection to another person, the invisible string that binds us and says "I really SEE you" and "I understand." The beauty of empathy is the positive way it shapes our relationships with others. I believe that if more people practiced empathy, our world would be an amazing sphere of kindness, rather than the mess it is now.
How does one learn to practice empathy? It is instinctive for many, but I found a great article online that explains the practice of empathy quite well. I hope you will take a peek.
https://www.webmd.com/balance/features/how-to-be-more-empathetic
Key points in the article:
What is empathy?
How do we feel empathy?
How to practice empathy in your daily life
I believe that the human connection is the most important of all connections. When we have other caring individuals in our sphere, we have love and kindness and compassion and friendship. With all those feelings, we feel loved and fulfilled, with no time left for depression and loneliness. Our lives become better and fuller with friends.
Learning about and practicing empathy can change a person's life!
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