Sunday, August 13, 2017

"There are no traffic jams along the extra mile." Roger Staubach




Teachers want parents to be involved with the school and the child's education, but in some neighborhoods, those two things are just about impossible.  Research tells us that when the parents, the teacher, and the student all work together, the student benefits and success is more likely to occur.  But what if you teach in a school district where parents work shift work, don't have cars, and can't meet at the school according to the school schedule?  As teachers, do you complain and and shrug it off?  Or do you brainstorm a creative solution to the problem?

In Chattanooga, Tennessee, the teachers wanted the parents to be involved with the school, so they bought a big red bus, refurbished it with tables and chairs and iPads,  and the bus goes to the neighborhoods and the parents!  The teachers meet parents for 30 minute meetings, even on weekends. Stocked with snacks, the bus travels to the students and their families, and these caring teachers are changing the lives of their students.

I know that when I was teaching for 37 years, I spent lots of money on school supplies, tissues, and items for students who could not afford them.  School budgets can't provide everything needed in the classroom. But the idea of teachers spending their own money on a bus and all the items it took to make the mini-classroom rock and roll is absolutely inspiring!  You can read the story here:  http://www.upworthy.com/these-teachers-in-a-low-income-district-found-a-genius-way-to-meet-with-parents 

Teachers want the best for their students and their families, and although some teachers give the profession a black eye, these teachers make our profession proud!  They could have turned their collective backs on the families. Instead, they devised a way to involve and include the families of their charges. Reading this story made me inspired and proud to be a teacher! 

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

Please invite Grady Gets Glasses (and me) into your school.  if you are not in the Pittsburgh area, we do virtual field trips with a group called Field Trip Zoom. www.Fieldtripzoom.com  GRADY GETS GLASSES was the winner of Best New Children's Book 2016 from The Authors' Zone. For more information about The Authors' Zone, please visit http://www.theauthorszone.com/submissions/  


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 readingSigned copies are available at  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 

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