eCourse-Gratitude-A Way of Teaching is now On-Demand

Check out my new On-Demand eCourse 
Gratitude-A Way of Teaching

Here are a few recommendations from the book, Gratitude-A Way of Teaching, that goes with this eCourse:

“Gratitude: A Way of Teaching should be required reading for teachers, administrators, parents, and anyone else who has a stake in our children’s future. You will be challenged, edified, and stirred to take a fresh look at this timeless virtue and see why we owe our children the gift of gratitude.”

~ Robert A. Emmons, Editor-in-Chief, The Journal of Positive Psychology; author of Gratitude Works! and Thanks! How the New Science of Gratitude Can Make You Happier

In a time of tests, accountability, and burnout, Gratitude: A Way of Teaching beautifully encourages teachers and students to connect to their own and each other’s humanity by stopping for a moment and asking, “What is wonderful about life?”

~ Vicki Zakrzewski, PhD, Education Director, Greater Good Science Center at UC Berkeley

In Gratitude: A Way of Teaching, Owen M. Griffith does a superb job at giving teachers practical strategies for making their students grateful. Following these strategies, and with patience and persistence, we can significantly influence the children in our own personal worlds. And, if we do, that will influence programs, clubs, schools, and other institutions in the community, too….Our society needs this more than ever. 

~ Jeffrey J. Froh, Associate Professor, Hoffstra University and co-author of Making Grateful Kids: The Science of Building Character

“In a very practical way, Owen M. Griffith shows us how gratitude can be incorporated into the schools. Filled with inspiring examples and many practical suggestions, Gratitude: A Way of Teaching can be used to improve the gratitude of students in your classroom, and perhaps more importantly, it should help teachers generate a more grateful attitude toward their students.”

~ Philip Watkins, Professor of Psychology, Eastern Washington University

Blog-Confession of an Author

A couple years ago, I wrote a book, and if you are reading my blog, you can see it at the top of the page. Writing that book felt like climbing Mt. Everest, but I am glad I did it, and I am still hearing how it is helping teachers. Recently, a colleague in training in Utah told me that she heard a speaker, the Utah State Teacher of the Year, say that reading my book helped her, and that implementing a gratitude list with her students transformed her high school English class.

But, just when I thought I had made this big accomplishment, life reminded me to stay humble (which leads to more gratitude for me). Here are a couple little anecdotes that I found amusing.

The local library purchased my book and put it in their collection. I took my son, who was 7 at the time, to the library and walked down the aisle and asked, “What would you think if Daddy’s book was in this library?” I wanted to surprise him. His eyes lit up and he said, “Really Daddy-that would be so cool.” So, I found my book, pulled it out and showed it to him. He looked at it and said, “You get the award for having the most boring book in this library. Next time, don’t write about gratitude, write about Super-Heroes.” I laughed so hard! I did show him that his name was in the dedication in the book, and finally he was impressed. In hindsight, I should have told him, “My book is about Super-Heroes; it’s about teachers.” Nothing could be truer.

Recently, they featured local authors at the library (I go to my local library too much). I was walking past the display and saw a woman pick up my book and leaf through it. I had to smile and hold back the urge to say, “That is my book, do you know how much work I put into it?” But, I just walked by and let her peruse it. I have to admit that I was disappointed when I saw her put it back and move on to another book. I should have stopped and talked to her.

Finally, I ran across a gentleman last week who had come to one of my talks and brought a book a couple years ago. He came up to me with a smile and said, “I bought one of you books a couple years ago… Can I have my money back?” I had to laugh, but it all ended in a positive way. He had brought it for a friend who was a teacher, and she was gone. However, he ended up deciding to donate my book to a local school. So, whatever comes your way, keep everything in perspective, and take it with a large dose of gratitude.