"I believe 100 percent in the power and importance of music." James Taylor

 

                                                                       QuoteHD.com      

It seems as though our world has gone mad.  Watching the news about the war on Ukraine will give a person nightmares, and for those living in the country, it is a nightmare they cannot escape. The constant sirens and bombings, along with little food and no electricity or water are too terrible to think about, and I do not know how they can cope.  The beauty of their world is gone.  

Several musicians have come forward to give a respite to the war-weary and hopeless.  This story touched me and countless others - that through music, comes healing. Violinist Vera Lytochenko played her violin for those hiding in a bomb shelter with her, and her performance touched the world. She gave a rare gift of beauty to her countrymen, and she inspired others to watch her performance as well, because the video of her playing has received over two million views. If you have not seen the performance, please click on this link:

https://www.classicfm.com/discover-music/instruments/violin/solo-ukrainian-bomb-shelter/ 

Music has long sustained people in times of trouble. I remember reading  a story about some POW's in World War II that had a record player and one Frank Sinatra record.  They said that record, with its soothing tones and sweet music, helped them to think of home and gave them the impetus to stay alive until the war was over and they were rescued.  Music is inextricably linked to our collective psyches - think of how each generation has its own genre of music, and what that music means. 

Often, when school districts are trying to save money, the arts are the first cuts to be made.  I have long disagreed with this; I feel that beauty is not an elective, it is a necessity. I hope that when schools re-evaluate their budgets and consider cutting music and art, this performance in a bomb shelter in Ukraine will make them take another look and change their minds.  In this crazy world, at least we still have beautiful music. 

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

Please invite GRADY GETS GLASSES (and me) into your school, in person, or on Zoom. Email us at GradyGetsGlasses@gmail.com

I do college and university presentations for student teachers with my practical "Dede's Three C's for Classroom Success: Confidence, Communication, and Creativity" in person or via Zoom. Please email me at DedeRittman@gmail.com

Please invite Grady Gets Glasses (and me) into your school.  if you are not in the Pittsburgh area, we do virtual field trips with groups called Field Trip Zoom and Streamable learning . We will come into YOUR classroom via ZOOM. 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 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

Facebook   Dede Faltot Rittman or Rittman Rules

LinkedIn   Dede Rittman

Google +   Dede Rittman

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Instagram   GradyGetsGlasses

Pinterest   Rittman Publishing, LLC ® . 

"If you can believe it, the mind can achieve it." Ronnie Lott

 

                                                                        Brainy Quote

I enjoy reading and writing about people who set goals, work tirelessly toward their goals, and achieve their goals.  I have been a goal setter for my entire life, and I like and enjoy the challenge of working toward something noble and good.

A young man named Adonis Lattimore, a senior at Landstown HS,  is a testament to believing in himself and achieving his dream.  Adonis has been a wrestler since the second grade, and his dream was to become the Virginia State Wrestling Champion..  Nothing unusual about that - until you discover that Adonis was born with one leg missing, one partial leg,  and he has only one completely functioning arm. To make up for those disabilities, Adonis has practiced with a work ethic worthy of ten men.  His mindset is such that for years, he has been writing his goal - "To be state champion" -  on pages and pages of notebooks. 

And so, this year, his senior year, was the last change to make it happen in his weight class - 106 pounds.  Sometimes dreams DO come true, because . . .  it happened!  Adonis won the Virginia title, and his father, his team mates, his school, and his community were there to cheer him on!  Such a sweet victory for an athlete that has labored so long and so hard. 

Adonis is now being courted by some colleges, so his wrestling career is not over. 

A young man like Adonis offers so many life lessons to the world. He would not allow a handicap to interrupt his dream.  He continued to work hard and surround himself with coaches and friends who supported his dream.  He never gave up on himself, and continued to do his best. 

When I was a coaching golf for those 33 years, I loved finding stories of student athletes and sharing them with my team to provide inspiration and focus.  As a writer, I still love sharing such stories, because positive stories make everyone feels good, and sometimes, such stories make us work harder in our own lives.

To meet Adonis and see his father's reaction to the win, please click on the link below.  You will be glad you did.

https://people.com/sports/virginia-teen-born-without-legs-wins-wrestling-state-championship/

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

Please invite GRADY GETS GLASSES (and me) into your school, in person, or on Zoom. Email us at GradyGetsGlasses@gmail.com

I do college and university presentations for student teachers with my practical "Dede's Three C's for Classroom Success: Confidence, Communication, and Creativity" in person or via Zoom. Please email me at DedeRittman@gmail.com

Please invite Grady Gets Glasses (and me) into your school.  if you are not in the Pittsburgh area, we do virtual field trips with groups called Field Trip Zoom and Streamable learning . We will come into YOUR classroom via ZOOM. 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 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

Facebook   Dede Faltot Rittman or Rittman Rules

LinkedIn   Dede Rittman

Google +   Dede Rittman

Tumblr      The Bunny Teacher

Instagram   GradyGetsGlasses

Pinterest   Rittman Publishing, LLC ® . 

"The soul is healed by being with children." Dostoyevsky

 

                                                                    Wisdom Quotes

West Side Elementary School in California is changing the world, one phone call at a time. 

In these difficult times, elementary students are offering inspiration to the entire world. The title of the project is "PEPTOC."  It is a hotline for adults to call and receive advice from elementary students. 

PEPTOC is the idea of two teachers, Asherah Weiss and Jessica Martin. They thought that adult friends and family who felt mad, nervous, frustrated, or those who might need encouragement might enjoy hearing some children's voices giving them words of kid-wisdom.  A cute idea turned into a viral sensation, as the hotline is now receiving about 9000 phone calls per hour. 

It seems that adults have always taken care of children, and these two teachers looked at a chance to have children help to take care of adults. What a wonderful project for the kids and the callers! The kids love sharing their bits of wisdom and being recorded.  They know their impact is being felt, and they have pride in their contributions.  Students and teachers are learning about the importance of working together and how one's work can benefit others.  This is truly a great project on so many levels.  

I just called the hotline at 707-998-8410.  I stayed on the line and chose all three options, and received lots of confirming and uplifting messages.   I enjoyed option 3 - advice from kindergarteners - who shouted, "You can do it!  Don't give up!"  Such sweet little voices of encouragement. 

I love this idea, and I am putting this number in my phone directory.  I also think Steve Hartman has the very best job in the nation, as he gets to share so many happy stories.

Sometimes, adults just need to hear little voices of encouragement.  Call the number!

To know more about this story, please click on the link below:

https://www.cbsnews.com/news/kindergarten-pep-talk-hotline-peptoc-helpline-steve-hartman/

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

Please invite GRADY GETS GLASSES (and me) into your school, in person, or on Zoom. Email us at GradyGetsGlasses@gmail.com

I do college and university presentations for student teachers with my practical "Dede's Three C's for Classroom Success: Confidence, Communication, and Creativity" in person or via Zoom. Please email me at DedeRittman@gmail.com

Please invite Grady Gets Glasses (and me) into your school.  if you are not in the Pittsburgh area, we do virtual field trips with groups called Field Trip Zoom and Streamable learning . We will come into YOUR classroom via ZOOM. 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 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

Facebook   Dede Faltot Rittman or Rittman Rules

LinkedIn   Dede Rittman

Google +   Dede Rittman

Tumblr      The Bunny Teacher

Instagram   GradyGetsGlasses

Pinterest   Rittman Publishing, LLC ® . 

"Being a school bus driver is not just a job-it's an adventure!

 

Quote Master 

I have long admired school bus drivers.  When I was a child, my favorite bus driver and his wife became a part of our family on holidays and other special occasions.  For the 33 years I coached golf, I spent countless hours on the school bus seated behind the driver as we navigated our way to far away golf course before GPS was invented.  Although a school bus is deemed to be quite safe, cars and traffic that do not obey school bus rules put many students in jeopardy. 

Did you know that in the past 10 years, there were over 1000 fatalities involving school busses and over 136.000 school bus related injuries? 

Pittsburgh Public Schools are doing something to make their students safer, especially when  cars that whiz by, even when the red school bus lights are flashing .  They are working with a company  that has an AI called "Ava".  Ava collects all the information with her cameras that monitor up to 8 lanes of traffic.  When a violation occurs, Ava collects all the data from the cameras. A fine of $300 is sent to the violator, and the district receives most of the money.  

I think this is a good idea.  Drivers need to obey the rules and keep our children safe. 

To read about this program, please follow the link below.

https://www.wpxi.com/news/local/local-district-looking-add-safety-measures-drivers-passing-school-buses/RUHAYB37ZNGBJH6KLJGKDW7FOU/ 

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

Please invite GRADY GETS GLASSES (and me) into your school, in person, or on Zoom. Email us at GradyGetsGlasses@gmail.com

I do college and university presentations for student teachers with my practical "Dede's Three C's for Classroom Success: Confidence, Communication, and Creativity" in person or via Zoom. Please email me at DedeRittman@gmail.com

Please invite Grady Gets Glasses (and me) into your school.  if you are not in the Pittsburgh area, we do virtual field trips with groups called Field Trip Zoom and Streamable learning . We will come into YOUR classroom via ZOOM. 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 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

Facebook   Dede Faltot Rittman or Rittman Rules

LinkedIn   Dede Rittman

Google +   Dede Rittman

Tumblr      The Bunny Teacher

Instagram   GradyGetsGlasses

Pinterest   Rittman Publishing, LLC ® .