I drove past my old school yesterday, and memories of my 35 years in that building flooded my mind. I loved school, and I would have taught for 40 years (or more) if my late husband had not been diagnosed with stage 4 colon cancer. I still miss having my own classroom and "my kids."
I spend many hours reading about the latest practices in Education, and just as much time posting on Facebook and Twitter about Education, as I promote both my book for student teachers and my children's book. No matter what the articles suggest to make teachers and administrators better, I still think the best advice is to show the students you care about them as individuals, and show them kindness and empathy. Even the most belligerent student will eventually be worn down by kindness and caring. I know this is true because I taught challenged learners for 36 of my 37 years in the classroom. It may take months, as well as voluminous amounts of patience on the part of the teacher, but I never had a student who did not come around to see things my way - and to see himself in a different light.
In my opinion, the best school experience happens when both the students and the teachers are happy in their relationships and classroom. Sure, extraneous parts of the school like administration and school boards have their impact, but the most important part for the student is the classroom teacher. Kindness matters. Giving respect matters. Setting high expectations and goals matters. Being a caring person who has the best interest of the child and lets them know that important information matters the most.
Here's to all the great teachers making a difference every day through kindness and caring. Kids deserve the best we have to offer.
"Be kind whenever possible. It is always possible." The 14th Dalai Lama
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 and a company called www.StreamableLearning.com GRADY GETS GLASSES was the winner of Best New Children's Book 2016 and 2018 (new edition) from The Authors' Zone.Grady also won a 2018 prestigious Moonbeam Award for Best Children's Book with Merchandise.
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 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
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 and Gradygetsglasses
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