Thursday, January 28, 2021

"I touch the future. I teach." Christa McAuliffe

 

                                                                IZQUOTES.COM 


35 years ago, on this date, January 28, 1986, The Challenger exploded upon takeoff. Much like earlier generations would remember where they were when Pearl Harbor was bombed, or what they were doing when President Kennedy was assassinated, many people remember where they were when they saw The Challenger explode.   Many who remember were school children in their nationwide classrooms watching the event, because for the first time, a (female) teacher was going into space!  

I was very interested in the entire teacher in space project.  Although I was not a science teacher, I knew what a great "hook" lessons from space would be! Students are always interested in something novel, and a lesson from space had never been done before, so these space lessons had the great opportunity to reach a global audience.   

In 1986, I was on a sabbatical leave from school, living in Plano, TX.  My late husband had taken a job there, but we were not sure if we would be staying in Texas, or moving back to Pennsylvania, so I took a leave of absence for one school year.  I happened to be walking through the electronics department of the J C Penney Store in Collin Creek mall when the Challenger was launched. More than 100 television sets were all tuned into the same channel.  When It exploded, I saw it on 100 screens, a sight that I can never "unsee,"  I watched for a few minutes more, sobbing, then got in my car and drove home.  Like so many Americans, I had grown accustomed to successful space missions, and the fact that a teacher (who could have been any of my friends or me, so this was really personal) was on board made this tragedy even more difficult to accept.  Although it a brilliant and sunny day in Plano, it was raining in my heart.

Sometimes, I muse about what might have been if the mission had not failed.  I believe that even more students - boys and girls - would have become scientists. I think of how Christa's family would have been changed, had their mother and wife lived.  I think about how her foray into space could have elevated all educators, making us more confident and bolder in our teaching.  So many dreams died when that spacecraft exploded.

Christa would probably be retired and a grandmother these 35 years later.  In my mind, she will always be a hero, with her her quest to educate students and help them to love learning.  I have carried her famous quote in my heart these 35 years.  "I touch the future.  I teach."  Christa McAuliffe made all teachers so proud to be a part of the profession. 

Today is a sad day to remember that so much promise exploded along with The Challenger. Thanks to those who lost their lives that day, and blessings to their families, who continue to miss them. 

As always, I welcome your comments and suggestionsRittman 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 or we will come into YOUR classroom via 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 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 readingSigned 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
Facebook   Dede Faltot Rittman or Rittman Rules
LinkedIn   Dede Rittman
Google +   Dede Rittman
Tumblr      The Bunny Teacher
Instagram   GradyGetsGlasses
Pinterest   Rittman Publishing, LLC ® 






Thursday, January 21, 2021

"Always do your best. What you plant now, you will harvest later." Og Mandino

 



On January 20, I attended a meeting of Delta Kappa Gamma via Zoom.  Because of my 37 years of classroom experience, this was a presentation I was especially interested in seeing, as one of our members, Jade Leung, was presenting her experiences with remote learning, The Jungle of Education.  I was not disappointed.

First, Jade reviewed the terms we needed to know, like "hybrid" learning.  She talked about how she spent her own money on whiteboards and other materials to make a classroom in her house, and about how scary it was for teachers to go the a place they never had to teach from before.  jade honestly discussed the problems of trying to connect with kids, who may or may not be online with the rest of the class, and about how much extra time everything takes.  She talked about creating ways for fair evaluations that could not be shared with friends. Jade emphasized that CREATIVITY was a necessary ingredient of today's teaching during a pandemic.

Jade uses five platforms for learning that she shared with us.  She favors Jamboard, YouTube, Padlet, Kahoots, Gizmo Virtual Lab, and Menti Word Cloud.  Zoom participants were invited to interact with Kahoots and Menti, and I found both to be both fun and educational.  

My biggest takeaway from the evening was that I am so happy to be a retired teacher.  Having to learn all the new platforms, plus insure that the teacher is meeting every student's needs, along with the parental needs, is just overwhelming.  Jade Leung, who teaches Biology at Shaler High School, is an amazing teacher who makes it all seem easier than it actually is.  My hat is off to all the teachers who are working extra hours, doing their very best, to serve their students today, so that those students will be ready for tomorrow. 

As always, I welcome your comments and suggestionsRittman 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 or we will come into YOUR classroom via 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 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 readingSigned 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
Facebook   Dede Faltot Rittman or Rittman Rules
LinkedIn   Dede Rittman
Google +   Dede Rittman
Tumblr      The Bunny Teacher
Instagram   dede_rittman  and Gradygetsglasses
Pinterest   Rittman Publishing, LLC ® 






Thursday, January 14, 2021

"Kindness is the language which the deaf can hear and the blind can see." Mark Twain

                                                                        Brainy Quote 

27 year old professional golfer and 2015 Masters Champion Jordan Spieth stole my heart when he began playing on the professional circuit.  Jordan's sister, Ellie, has special needs.  She adores her brother, and from the manner in which he treats her, the feeling is mutual.  Seeing them together is magical, and Jordan sets a great example of inclusion.

Last week, I saw an intriguing article in GOLF DIGEST about Jordan Spieth offering a free golf lesson to a young man who is on the autism spectrum. The group Autism Speaks chose 2020 to be the year of a million kindnesses, large and small, and Jordan was a part of that kindness. High school freshman Joseph Maguire is on the autism spectrum. Joseph's dad encouraged him to play golf about 8 years ago, and Jordan Spieth is Joseph's favorite golfer.

Although the lesson had to be virtual because of the global pandemic, Joseph had the great opportunity to benefit from a lesson with Jordan Spieth.  I enjoyed watching the interaction between the two.  Joseph is excited to be having the lesson, and Jordan is so respectful and engaging.  This story warms my heart. Professional athletes have a great following, and Jordan took this opportunity to set a wonderful example for his followers. 

If you would like to see the video of the lesson, here is the link: https://www.golfdigest.com/story/jordan-spieth-autism-speaks

Also, here is an article about the Spieth family and the family star, Ellie:  https://www.jacksonville.com/sports/golf/2016-04-06/story/star-jordan-spieths-family-little-sister-ellie 

Be safe, be kind. 

As always, I welcome your comments and suggestionsRittman 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 or we will come into YOUR classroom via 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 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 readingSigned 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
Facebook   Dede Faltot Rittman or Rittman Rules
LinkedIn   Dede Rittman
Google +   Dede Rittman
Tumblr      The Bunny Teacher
Instagram   dede_rittman  and Gradygetsglasses
Pinterest   Rittman Publishing, LLC ® 

Thursday, January 7, 2021

"Be kind to yourself, so you can be happy enough to be kind to the world." Misha Collins

 

                                                                    QUOTEFANCY


During this week of New Year's resolutions, I have one suggestion.  In these difficult times of COVID-19, loneliness, and isolation, resolve to be kind to yourself.  Life since March 13, 2020, has been even more stressful than normal for everyone, and the entire world could use both a virtual and a real hug.  Everyone needs some touch of human kindness, so if you are kind to yourself, and that helps you to be kinder toward others, everyone wins.

I think this is the best resolution possible this year. 

"Be kind to yourself, so you can be happy enough to be kind to the world." Misha Collins

Happy New Year. 

As always, I welcome your comments and suggestionsRittman 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 or we will come into YOUR classroom via 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 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 readingSigned 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
Facebook   Dede Faltot Rittman or Rittman Rules
LinkedIn   Dede Rittman
Google +   Dede Rittman
Tumblr      The Bunny Teacher
Instagram   dede_rittman  and Gradygetsglasses
Pinterest   Rittman Publishing, LLC ®