Sunday, April 24, 2016

"My father was my teacher. But most importantly he was a great dad." Beau Bridges





My dad was born on April 24, 1917, and he would have been 99 years old today. He was not a physically imposing man- only about 5'6" and 115 pounds, yet his nickname was "Herk", short for Hercules. My dad had an unbelievably wiry strength: I once saw him lift my older brother right off his feet with his right arm, and do the same to my little brother with his left arm, just to get their attention when they were acting up!  If you don't think that is difficult to do, just try lifting your two sons!  Another time I saw Dad pick up a huge console television set that was on fire,  and carry from the living room and through the front door-all to throw it in the snow before the house caught fire! 

Although the brother-lifting episode is a memory seared into my brain, that is not the first thing I think of when I think about my dad.  A parent is a child's first teacher, and I think of the many things my dad taught me.  We used to watch golf on TV in the late 50's and early 60's- Dad was a huge Arnold Palmer fan (of course, Latrobe, PA is only about an hour from where I grew up in Pennsylvania. Also, the Steelers were no good in those days, so golf, not football, was the Sunday afternoon TV choice.) I can remember asking about the putting- especially when the hole was 8 feet away, and the golfer was aiming 2 feet to the right or left. Dad explained that in my terms- I was taking sewing lessons and learning about the grain of fabrics. He said,"Honey, you know how material has a grain?  Well, so does grass, and the golfer is reading the grain to see how the ball will roll." Years later when I became an avid golfer, I remembered Dad's lesson, as I learned to "read the grain of the grass- just like reading fabric."  

And another memory- a truly teachable moment- we were on the way home from a short family vacation.  Dad was driving, and I was hanging on the seat behind him, talking to him while the rest of the family slept.  (No seat belts back then!)  We were in Virginia and road was so dark and winding, and I asked dad how he could see where we were going, since there were no street lights, just "those white lines along the side and in the middle of the road." Once again, Daddy answered with an analogy that I could understand.  "Dede, when I drive the car, I follow the white lines, just like you use the electric scissors to cut your material, using the lines of your dress pattern as a guide.That's how you keep the car on the road." Pretty good answer, right? Even now, when I am driving alone at night on a dark road, I hear his voice whispering that treasured secret of how to drive a car and keep it on the road. 

Dad's education ended after high school graduation.  A meticulous man, he kept time books of the shifts he worked at Allegheny Ludlum Steel for 43 1/2 years.  I do not know how anyone could work 4-12, 12-8, and 8-4 for that many years.  When he finally retired, I asked, "Dad, how could you work those crazy hours all those years?"  His answer: "I enjoyed going to work.  It really only felt like about 10 years."  Long after Dad was gone and I retired from 37 years of teaching, I was asked, "How could you teach for that many years?"  I thought about it, and answered, "I really enjoyed going to school.  it really only felt like about 10 years."  I understood what Dad meant - he taught me to like my work, to share his strong work ethic, and to be proud of a hard day's work.  


I was always an avid reader, and my Dad was not. I piqued Dad's interest in reading when I was in college, majoring in English.  He asked to read some of my required novels, and then asked me to recommend more books he might enjoy. 25 years later, he read several hundred books from my school library- and I hand-documented each of the books, using a card catalogue system in a little file box.  He added a new notecard for each book he finished, and by the way, he did find that reading the same book several times could still be fun.  (James Clavell was his favorite author.)  A year or so into his newly found hobby of reading, he told me that reading was so difficult for him at the beginning-that the words seemed to "move" and he had to read the same sentence several times to comprehend the meaning.  I realized that Dad was dyslexic, and I- as the teacher- gave him strategies to improve his reading. He especially liked using a notecard under the line he was reading. He gained both speed and reading comprehension using the "notecard method."

And so, we came full circle.  Daddy taught me, and then I taught Daddy. We shared so many discussions and observations, and he was always my "go to guy" when I was sad. The sadness of losing Daddy, and then Mom - just 82 days later-  has left a hole in my heart, and in the hearts of my brothers.  

Thanks Dad! Thanks for the life lessons and unconditional love, and know that I am thinking of you today, on your birthday. 

Here is a picture of Dad in 1935- his high school graduation



As always, I welcome your comments and suggestions. 

Rittman Publishing, LLC ®

Visit Dede's webpage 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 IS UP AND RUNNING!!!.  Signed copies ARE available!   Grady plush toys are ordered! 

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
Periscope   @dederittman
Facebook   Dede Faltot Rittman or Rittman Rules
LinkedIn   Dede Rittman
Google +   Dede Rittman
Tumblr      The Bunny Teacher
Instagram   dede_rittman 
Pinterest   Rittman Publishing, LLC ®







Monday, April 18, 2016

We can change the world and make it a better place. It is in your hands to make a difference. Nelson Mandela




I wish the six o'clock news would have more GOOD news.  I wish that news stations would devote an entire program to POSITIVE community and nationwide happenings; promoting the sharing of worthwhile ideas for improving individuals' lives, families, and towns. If a "good news" program actually existed, my new friend Minister April Avery Torrence certainly would be the lead story. 

Last Monday, I had the chance to spend some time with April, her wonderful staff, and the children they teach and feed in Sharon, PA, at the New Light Christian Education Center. It was Mercer County Blind Association Vision Screening Day, the perfect day for me to visit with my children's book GRADY GETS GLASSES.  Grady the 12" tall toy rabbit shook hands with all of the children, and Grady and I explained the importance of glasses in a PowerPoint before the reading of the book. The children reacted to Grady in a hugely positive manner- some even kissed the toy bunny right on his furry face!  A tiny girl whispered "thank you" to me and planted a baby kiss on the back of my hand. Grady and I were quite overwhelmed with the feelings of love and caring in this school classroom. 

I had the opportunity to spend a few quiet minutes with April and talk about her ministry. Besides being a Grant Writer/Researcher for the agency at Community Arts Experience, Inc; a Quality Assurance Administrator at Hope Academy for Autism, and the Co- Founder/Director at the Zion Center, she has also taken on the job of feeding the at-risk children of Farrell and Sharon, PA. April started the childcare program in 1995 and outgrew four locations before expanding to Sharon, PA, in 2010. New Light Missionary Baptist Church became her sponsor in 2012, and also offers recreational and nutritional services on site. Together, this partnership has reached hundreds of families in the Shenango Valley area, serving more than 150,000 children ages 3-18. The Center is open Monday-Friday from 8 am-7 pm, and breakfast, lunch, snacks, and supper are provided to all children, regardless of race, color, national origin, gender, or sexual orientation. 

No one goes without food, love, and learning when Minister April Avery Torrence is around!

I love how being an author of a children's book has introduced me to so many wonderful people, all of whom want to make a difference in the world by making their piece of the planet just a little bit better. We are enveloped by inspiration!  (For the record, that is what Grady and I want to do, too, and when we are successful, we will have the GRADY GETS GLASSES FOUNDATION.)

Thanks so much for a beautiful Monday with the kids, and for sharing your goodness and dreams with me, Minister April!  I am so inspired by you that this post just seemed to write itself!

This post is published with the approval of Minister April Avery Torrence. 

Do you want to contribute to this wonderful mission? Donations can be made directly to New Light M.B.C. (c/o Dr. April Torrence) 753 Cedar Avenue, Sharon, PA 16146. We also have a PayPal account for the Pre-K program and a GofundMe page for our capital campaign.

As always, I welcome your comments and suggestions. 

Rittman Publishing, LLC ®

Visit Dede's webpage 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 IS UP AND RUNNING!!!.  Signed copies ARE available!  Coloring books and Grady plush toys are ordered! 

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
Periscope   @dederittman
Facebook   Dede Faltot Rittman or Rittman Rules
LinkedIn   Dede Rittman
Google +   Dede Rittman
Tumblr      The Bunny Teacher
Instagram   dede_rittman 
Pinterest   Rittman Publishing, LLC ®











Monday, April 11, 2016

Leadership is not about titles, positions, or flowcharts. It is about one life influencing another. John C. Maxwell




I enjoy how much my everyday life sends me wonderful topics to write about almost every week.  Of course, this week is no exception!  I attended a Saturday night gala a few weeks ago in Pittsburgh for the Global Sisterhood of Empowering Women - Common Threads. The group is both founded and headed by international best-selling author Dr. Shellie Hipsky, who urges all women to stand together, to help each other, indeed; to empower each other. Although I was unable to attend the Saturday workshops, (I heard they were amazing)  the flavor and feeling of the day - the sharing, the sisterhood, and the caring - was still thick in the air as the evening gala began!  And what an impressive group- women came from as far away as South Africa to Singapore to be a part of this wonderful celebration.

Dr. Shellie seems to have combed the earth to find remarkable women to include in her COMMON THREADS TRILOGY and each book is as impressive as the other two. Meeting these women and hearing their stories made for an inspiring evening. (You must take a look at this link!  http://www.inspiringlivesinternational.com/common-threads-trilogy/ )

The part I like the best in all of Dr. Shellie's work is this: Life is all about Balance, Inspiration, and Empowerment- and helping others to achieve all of those precious commodities- through sharing, support, and love.  You will find no negatives in this group of women or in these books; advice and support are given as freely as smiles.  Many of the featured women have heart-wrenching stories and pasts, but all of them have emerged as victors rather than victims.  They have endured and flourished, and these fine human beings are helping other women to do the same. The beautiful shared lesson throughout the trilogy is this: these women are completing each other, rather than competing with each other.

I applaud Dr. Shellie's global work and positive influence, but I am not surprised by her success.  You see, Dr. Shellie is a teacher- a professor, who knows the value of hard work, as well as the impact of positive feedback, support, and interactions, and the importance urging all students, friends, and colleagues to be the best they can be. I spoke with one of Dr. Shellie's former students who told me: "She was wonderful!  She made us feel like we could be anything and anyone we wanted to be!"

I often write in my posts that teachers never know how much of an influence they have on others, and to my way of thinking, that influence is like the butterfly effect- as it ripples on to infinity.  So it is with Dr. Shellie's work and the work of all of the women in the COMMON THREADS TRILOGY - they are making a positive difference for others around the world. Definitely worth the read!   

This post is published with the approval of Dr. Shellie Hipsky. 

As always, I welcome your comments and suggestions. 

Rittman Publishing, LLC ®

Visit Dede's webpage 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 IS UP AND RUNNING!!!.  Signed copies ARE available!  Coloring books and Grady plush toys are ordered! 

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
Periscope   @dederittman
Facebook   Dede Faltot Rittman or Rittman Rules
LinkedIn   Dede Rittman
Google +   Dede Rittman
Tumblr      The Bunny Teacher
Instagram   dede_rittman 
Pinterest   Rittman Publishing, LLC ®



Dede is the co-host of The Total Education Q & A, which can be heard on Blogtalk Radio at www.blogtalkradio.com/totaltutor 








Monday, April 4, 2016

Tell me and I forget, teach me and I may remember, involve me and I learn. Benjamin Franklin


I just spent an exhilarating (and exhausting) week in New England collaborating and presenting with my friend Phyl T. Macomber, who has invented the very best method for teaching I have ever seen in my 40 years in Education. (You know that I love to learn about an write about ALL things Education!)   Phyl has written a book The Power of T.H.E. P.A.C.T. (That stands for: Technology helps Easy and Practical Adapted Curriculum Teaching.) The book and the format are a 4-step framework for academics, life skills, and social language content, and the design is so simple that it is brilliant!  Students Learn About, then Read About, then Write About, and lastly, Talk About.  The two things that make this format so great : it is consistent and predictable!  Each module is color coded, and as one of Phyl's students with autism told her:  "When I see the color, I know which part of my brain I need to use!"  Students "get" the way it works, and all teachers know that students crave routine!  Because students know (and embrace) the format, they focus more on the learning, and isn't that what we want students to do?  Those teachers using T.H.E. P.A.C.T. cover more information in shorter periods of time as well, and learners perform well.  T.H.E. P.A.C.T. also aligns with all of the Common Core standards- seamlessly. Please allow me to share some stories from our fabulous week. 

Phyl and I traveled to several schools in New Hampshire and Vermont, schools who are using T.H.E. P.A.C.T with much success.  Phyl is an advisor for many districts, and I am proud and excited to share some news with you! Phyl and I are collaborating and partnering - T.H.E. P.A.C.T with GRADY GETS GLASSES. Many activities for GRADY are already in place in the iPACT- the app Phyl has created for T.H.E. P.A.C.T - available through Apple. 

We were team teaching throughout the week- in special needs classrooms, regular ed classrooms, preschools, and in heterogeneous classrooms of regular ed students and challenged learners. I watched students become ready to learn in a matter of moments- because they KNEW the format and the steps to learning.  Because the format is consistent and predictable, students are actually more ready to learn. And every learner is involved- every time! I loved this line from a 3 year old in a preschool we visited.  The child saw Phyl, walked over to the special rug, sat down, and said "First, we do Learn About!"  (this was only Phyl's third session in this school, and the child already knew the routine). After a very fun spinner game for the Learn About section, (important vocabulary concepts) I presented the "Read About" section- with GRADY GETS GLASSES. Phyl and I team taught the Write About and Talk About modules- all in about 40 minutes, with 100% student involvement and great success. I observed the same kinds of success with students who had one or many learning challenges, and with bright second graders. (By the way, Phyl has four years of internationally based research to endorse her fabulous product. Check out her website) 

Additionally, I attended some training sessions for T.H.E. P.A.C.T. with Phyl, and had the chance to see firsthand the way activities can be created, converted, and cloned.  If only this technology would have existed when I was in the classroom!  Teacher prep time is so minimal- and so easy!  Here is the essence of what I learned this week- and I am so thrilled that GRADY GETS GLASSES is a part of such an innovative program!  Take a look, and I feel sure you will want to visit her website. If you are a school administrator, T.H.E. P.A.C.T may be just the tool you need to turn your school into a high-performing school. 


What is T.H.E. P.A.C.T.?

Research-Based 4-Step Teaching Framework
Bridges the Gap Between General Education &
Special Education
Provides a Blueprint for Universal Design for Learning
Systemizes Instruction for Learners & Teaching Staff
Directly Aligned to the Common Core Standards
 I encourage you to take a look at the website  http://aboutthepact.com/



As always, I welcome your comments and suggestions. This post was written with the permission of Phyl Totaro Macomber. 

Rittman Publishing, LLC ®

Visit Dede's webpage 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. 

Contact Dede if you would like her speak to your faculty or student teachers. dederittman@gmail.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! 

Here is the link the my 15 second Grady Gets Glasses commercial! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=881Z3e34X9s


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 IS UP AND RUNNING!!!.  Signed copies ARE available!  Coloring books and Grady plush toys are ordered! 

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
Periscope   @dederittman
Facebook   Dede Faltot Rittman or Rittman Rules
LinkedIn   Dede Rittman
Google +   Dede Rittman
Tumblr      The Bunny Teacher
Instagram   dede_rittman 
Pinterest   Rittman Publishing, LLC ®