Lessons Learned from the Bunny Teacher

Sunday, September 25, 2016

"Empathy feels connection; sympathy drives disconnection." Dr. Brené Brown

I found a terrific video by Dr. Brené Brown on YouTube about the difference between sympathy and empathy, and I have probably watched it 10 times,. I have Tweeted it, posted it on LinkedIn, as well as Facebook, Google + , and Tumblr. If you have not seen it, here is the link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Evwgu369Jw

As you know, I was a teacher for 37 years, and hundreds of occasions called for an intervention between students on my part, or for presenting strategies for solving differences between students or groups. I wish I would have had this video to show, because when a person truly understands that empathy is actually "putting yourself in the shoes of another", suddenly the new perspectives turn into understanding. When a person actually feels and understands empathy, there is no room for bullying, judgments, and put-downs.

This video is simple enough for children to understand, yet sophisticated enough for high school and college students to appreciate. The message is direct, engaging, humorous, and touching. Many friends "liked" my share on Facebook and Twitter, and all comments about this wonderful video were so positive. I urge my global colleagues in education to use this video as a teaching tool in the classroom.

I believe that when we teach empathy, students become better, both as individuals and as participants in society. So many issues divide our country, from race to economics to neighborhoods and more, and teachers need to do more to help students understand, tolerate, and accept those differences in a better way. This video provides great opportunity for discussion, as well as for use as a reference tool in the classroom. Students will "get" this message in this video, a message that each of us needs. I hope that all school environments will improve when students learn about empathy.

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 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
Pinterest Rittman Publishing, LLC ®

Sunday, September 18, 2016

"I'm convinced that about half of what separates the successful entrepreneurs from the non-successful ones is pure perseverance." Steve Jobs

My blogpost entry for today is number 156. Than means that for exactly 3 years, I have been putting fingers to keys and writing for an audience whom I am trying to entertain, enlighten, and inspire. I am proud that I have not missed a single week, and a friend recently asked me, "Why do you do this? Why are you so committed to writing a post every week? You are not getting paid." True, I am not getting paid, so I have no monetary incentive. I do hold myself accountable, however, because I said that I would write one post per week, and I am a person who keeps my word. Writing a weekly column is not easy - inventing ideas and making them relevant to others, especially teachers, is my aim. Many weeks, I mentally meander through topics, until one hits me as "just right." Sometimes, when I am exhausted from being an entrepreneur and all the work that goes along with that title, I pause momentarily, to think about skipping the post, but I just can't! My parents instilled a strong work ethic in all of their children, and my readership is now at the level of several thousands per month, and I don't want to let anyone or any reader down- especially if a person is really in need of inspiration. And so, I persevere.

I think that perseverance is not as popular a term as it once was. In our digital age of instant communication and instant gratification, the definition of the word itself is almost lost on young people. Kids can't define the term, and I think they need to learn more than the definition of the word perseverance.

Teachers, you need to include examples of success through both discipline and perseverance in your presentations, so students know that perseverance is a quality to be admired and emulated. When I was doing research for this piece, I found many websites dedicated to stories of famous individuals who failed multiple times before succeeding. My favorite is Walt Disney, and I cannot possibly imagine a world without Mickey Mouse, Snow White, Thumper, the many characters of Disney, and Disney World! Can you? Here is a site that talks about Walt Disney: https://www.wanderlustworker.com/12-famous-people-who-failed-before-succeeding/ Colonel Sanders began his business at age 65! He is another inspiration! http://getbusylivingblog.com/famous-people-who-found-success-despite-failures/

As teachers, we must prepare our students for the real world, and the real world is very harsh. Teaching not only the word and the definition of perseverance, but also teaching the real life examples of people who persevered may well serve as a springboard and a support for the futures of our students, helping them to get back up after failures- to try again. As teachers, we cannot know at the time whether our students are going to succeed or struggle with their work lives, and the best we can do is to provide them with the tools to help them to succeed and excel. I know that although I am 63, working as a new entrepreneur after 37 years as a classroom teacher is a challenge, and I continue to reflect on life lessons from terrific former teachers and respected adults in my life, as I make my way through business procedures and decisions for which I have no background experience. I have hit many stumbling blocks in these past two years, and I sometimes wonder why I am doing this, when I could simply enjoy retirement! Instead, I surround myself with trusted individuals, pick myself up, and I persevere. My behavior is a reflection of what I was taught, and I feel strongly about sharing the lessons of discipline and perseverance! Perseverance may well be the difference between failure and success - per the quote from Steve Jobs, who was not an overnight success. but persevered to become successful!

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

Sunday, September 11, 2016

"If we all do one random act of kindness daily, we just might set the world in the right direction." - Martin Kornfeld

This past week, I have read about and observed several random acts of kindness, and I have seen the change that can occur within a person when human beings treat each other with respect and caring.

This metamorphosis is astounding! Grumpy people become smiling "marshmallows"; complaints turn into accolades, and disgruntlement and discontent magically become happiness and pleasure - all because of an unexpected kindness.

We live in a stressful world, filled with responsibilities and time constraints, and our lives are dictated by job requirements and family duties. People rarely have the time to do nice things for themselves; indeed, they often do not believe that they "deserve" little luxuries! Random acts of kindness - from strangers, acquaintances, and friends - seem to validate our most inner selves, whispering "You are special, you are valued, just because you are you." Can anything be more lovely?

I want to start a crusade of Kindness-with all of YOU! I want our world to be better - do you? I want people to feel valued and happy, and to enjoy the kindness they receive from others, and want to pay that wonderful feeling forward, until our world basks in the glow of caring and compassion. I hope you share this wish! What can we do? I have been brainstorming a few simple ideas: take someone's shopping cart into the store when they have finished unloading their groceries; put the extra change in the almost-expired meter; pay for the iced tea and burger for the car behind you at the drive-through; give a random compliment; say "Good morning"- and mean it; buy an extra coffee for a colleague; notice that someone is down, and sit down and actually LISTEN to their plight; phone your parents or sibling or a long-lost friend; look people in the eye and ask how they are- for real; ask an elderly or disabled person if you can offer assistance; hand the garbage collector or the lawn guy an ice cold water; speak to the homeless guy as if he were a real person, and not invisible; send a congratulations card; give someone a flower for no reason; liberally sprinkle your vocabulary with extra "please and thank you's"; say something pleasant to the strangers in the elevator. Think of what would please YOU (if someone chose to do a random act of kindness for you) and do that same thing for someone else.

I have some personal experience with this, and I guarantee that it feels SO GOOD to make someone happy! In fact, it feels so good that I am not sure why people don't do this all the time! Please comment or email me about your random act of kindness- I would love to hear and share your ideas!

Let's start the KINDNESS CRUSADE together! I am in Pittsburgh, PA - I will be starting the movement here! Please keep me apprised of where you are and what you are doing! Promote the idea and this post- let's make our world better! I will be tweeting about this as well! Please follow me @dederittman Let's make a GREAT week - for so many people.

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

Sunday, September 4, 2016

"The biggest risk is not taking any risk." Mark Zuckerberg

I absolutely loved being a teacher for 37 years, and I had no idea that when I retired, I would become a writer, speaker, and entrepreneur.

I am a risk-taker. Even when I look back on my career, the risk-taking element is there.

For more than 30 years, I have wanted to write a book for kids with glasses, and to have a plush animal toy to go with the book; a special little friend for the children. On September 1, Grady Gets Glasses- the deluxe package deal with the plush bunny (for ages 5 and up) - was launched on www.gradygetsglasses.com and http://www.ebay.com/itm/252516661750

Being a risk-taker/entrepreneur has enormous highs and lows, and as I am working my way through business issues that I have never had to imagine or think about, I am reflecting on my promotion of risk-taking as a teacher, when I was in the classroom from 1974-2011.

Many of my former students, like most students, just wanted to sit in the back of the room and be ignored and invisible, but I would not allow that! I wanted every student to be an engaged learner, and students I admit to putting students who rarely spoke in class "on the spot" and asked to contribute. I told the students upfront that this would be my method, and that taking more risks in the classroom would lead to more learning, involvement, and fun. (I always told the kids that learning is fun- I truly believe it is!)

Risk-taking in school and learning is essential! Teacher friends, are you asking your students to be risk-takers in your classroom? Are you promoting the ideas of trying learning and discussing and exchanging ideas in different ways, and asking students to open their minds to new materials without making judgments? Of course, the students must feel secure and comfortable in your classroom for this to happen. You have to provide some supports and ground rules,like "no judgments", positive feedback/constructive criticism only, no laughing at a student )but laughing with is OK), etc. As the teacher, you must model the behavior of appropriate risk taking in the classroom. Believe me, not everything that I planned worked! Some lessons fell flat - and afterward, I shared what I was trying to do with more detail, risking a "normal" (teacher-led) presentation for a fun activity, and students actually gave feedback to improve the not-so-great-lessons. I found that when students saw me taking a risk as a teacher, my students became more willing to take risks as learners, especially as we discussed positive ways to improve ideas. Open discussions (sans judgments) made everyone in the classroom feel comfortable, and students became more comfortable as learners and class friends.

Think about it - Life has no dress rehearsal- we just have this one chance to be the best we can be - and as Mark Zuckerberg said, "The biggest risk is not taking any risk . . ."

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 ®

Sunday, August 28, 2016

"Sometimes, all we need is a fresh start."

September is the month for new beginnings, especially for students and teachers. The searing heat of the summer is replaced with cool mornings, sunny afternoons, and shorter days. September is a wonderful time to start over- to throw the errors of last school year over one's shoulder and look forward to the fresh start.

I love September, and for my 37 years as a teacher, September also provided a new start for me. I tried to improve as a teacher every year; to incorporate innovative methods of teaching and to improve on my prior performance. I shared that information with my students, in the hope that they, too, would realize that learning and improving are lifelong processes, and both are well worth the effort. Even now, as a retired teacher, but working full time as a writer and speaker, I feel the excitement of the new September beginning!

A "fresh start" holds so much promise, and as teachers, we must validate our students' efforts to help keep their collective attitudes positive. One suggestion I have for teachers to help students is this: have each student write a short personal or school-related goal for the week on Monday, and on Friday, have them record their achievements or letdowns. (2-4 minutes per week, total time) The intrinsic feeling of writing an accomplishment is so good, that it may provide an additional impetus for students to work harder to do well.

Here's to all of those starting a new school year, a new career, a new chapter in their lives! Here's to new beginnings, in the hope that these new beginnings will lead to personal success!

Sunday, August 21, 2016

"Honesty is the best policy." Benjamin Franklin

Last week, I wrote about the inspiring Olympians, those hearty souls whose work ethics and dreams and desires are so great that they elevate the rest of us mere mortals! However, a blemish appeared last week during the Summer Olympic Games which also offers two important lessons- about taking responsibility for one's own actions, and being honest.

By now, everyone has heard that Ryan Lochte and three other male members of the USA swim team said that they were pulled over and robbed at gunpoint after hours in Rio de Janeiro. Those claims proved to be untrue, as their stories kept changing, Brazilian police investigated, and surveillance video was reviewed. In fact, the story was fabricated to cover up some indiscretions regarding an incident at a gas station, which involved vandalism and destruction of personal property as a result of being intoxicated. Of course, the actions of these four gave one HUGE black eye to the USA during these 2016 Summer Olympic Games, and the daily investigations into this news story and its aftermath continue to take the spotlight away from the accomplishments of the other USA Olympians.

This story comes down to just two things:these young men did not take responsibility for one's actions, and they were not honest. Their decisions were a great disappointment to many people, as more is expected of those who are representing our country in prestigious events, such as the Olympics. I do not know their reasoning, I just know they made a big mistake, which has caused embarrassment to our entire country.

In all aspects of life, telling the truth, painful as it may be, is the best policy. Fabricating leads to telling more and more lies, which eventually entangles the person telling the tales. And taking responsibility for oneself is expected from those who are mature enough to know they made a mistake. I cannot even speculate as to the impact this incident will have on the future of each swimmer, and how many endorsements could be lost. One of the most important personal possessions we each own is our reputation, which follows us throughout our lives. Ryan Lochte has recently accepted responsibility for has actions, but I think his personal brand has been permanently tarnished. (To see Ryan's interview with Matt Lauer, click on this link. http://www.nbcnews.com/storyline/2016-rio-summer-olympics/ryan-lochte-rio-incident-i-over-exaggerated-story-n635191 )

Teachers are so familiar with these lessons, which are staples in our professional repertoire. As teachers, we try to help our students to grow and mature enough to take responsibility for their actions through the years, and teaching the importance of honesty is an ongoing lesson from Kindergarten through college. Perhaps some of the teacher readers of this blog will discuss this Olympic-sized debacle and use it as a teachable moment/classroom lesson for their students.

Benjamin Franklin said it best: "Honesty is the best policy."

Sunday, August 14, 2016

"Each of us has a fire in our heart for something. It's our goal in life to find it and keep it lit." Mary Lou Retton

I love the whole idea of The Olympics: world countries competing against each other; putting the abilities of their best athletes on display; the performances of the participants so stellar and focused that the Olympians seem to rise above mere mortals.

I especially enjoy the inspiration I receive when reading about the Olympic stars and their challenges, as well as their strong and committed practice schedules and work ethics.(My parents were all about the work ethic, so this lesson really resonates with me.) I also think that the resurrection of the Olympic games every four years reminds us that we, too, should find our passions and goals in life, and find a way to keep that flame within us lit.

Look around at the people you know, and you will find that the most successful ones are the ones who have a true passion for their life's work. Although maintaining passion requires immense energy, having passion keeps an individual energized!

The Olympic athletes are living their dreams, and the viewers are swept along in the frenzy of their achievements. Some of the Olympians have been forced to overcome tremendous challenges: enduring sexual and physical abuse; being orphaned by war; losing their country because of war; facing physical battles after accidents. The Refugee Team received the loudest applause of the Olympic opening parade! (For more stories of olympians overcoming adversity, click on this link http://www.viralnova.com/incredible-olympians/ )

Watching others dream the dream, work toward the fulfillment of the dream, and then live the dream is truly inspiring. I know that thinking about these athletes makes me want to be even better in my life - setting goals, committing to a work ethic, and showing my passion for my life's work. Who couldn't be inspired by the two Simone's who won the gold in swimming and gymnastics? And how about Michael Phelps? He alone has 28 medals- 23 gold- more medals earned one person than 108 countries have won! These Olympians should make all of us strive to be the best we can be every day! I hope YOU are also inspired by their life stories and hard work! Thank you, Olympians.