Teachers Make a Difference for Kids

An exciting new book for children, The Teacher Who Made a Difference, written by noted children’s author Corrine M. Litzenberg, is now available.

The story portrays the close relationship Corinne has with her teacher, Mrs. Mabel. They work their way through challenging situations related to Corinne’s stuttering. Corinne wins a coveted award, but that, in turn, leads to more challenges.

“When I saw The King’s Speech, I became inspired; and as a teacher, I decided I had to go back and write my story,” said Litzenberg. “There really was a Mrs. Mabel in my life who made a big difference, and I dedicated this book to her.”

Litzenberg also incorporated another of her passions into her book: learning outside the classroom in the natural world. “Some children learn best outside, with the plants and animals, which often have a calming effect on all children, but especially those with disabilities,” said Litzenberg.

Litzenberg was also thrilled to find and introduce the talented young illustrator, Amy L. Dech, to a worldwide audience.

“Dr. Litzenberg’s lovely book demonstrates so many of our lessons for children who stutter in a way that is easy to relate to,” said Jane Fraser, president of the Stuttering Foundation. “We think of Corinne as the Author Who Made a Difference!”

The book is available for a nominal fee to help cover printing costs. Call 800-992-9392 or visit www.StutteringHelp.org. Included in the book are 8 Tips for Teachers and Myths About Stuttering.

From the Fall 2013 Newsletter

CELEBRITY FOCUS

Dave Taylor

Dave Taylor has been on the Stuttering Foundation's list of Famous People Who Stutter for many years, but probably few people know all of the unique accomplishments of this former hockey great who was born on December 4, 1955, in Levack, Ontario.

Kenyon Martin

Kenyon Martin, the basketball sensation who was named to the NBA’s All Star Team in 2004, joins other famous people who stutter in a new brochure. The brochure - which unfolds into a small poster - is available free of charge from The Stuttering Foundation.

The poster is intended to give children and adults who stutter inspiration as they grapple with their speech disorder.

Mel Tillis

Mel Tillis, born Lonnie Melvin Tillis, was an influential figure in country music, both as a songwriter and a performer. His journey to fame was marked by overcoming personal challenges, including a stutter that he turned into a defining part of his public persona.

Bruce Willis

While the world knows Bruce Willis as an A-list actor, few know that he struggled with stuttering throughout his first 20 years.

Walter Bruce Willis was born in 1955 in West Germany to his German mother, Marlene, and his American GI father, David Willis. The family settled in David’s hometown of Penns Grove, New Jersey in 1957, and the couple has three other children.

Bob Love

Bob Love has dreamt about being a great public speaker since his early days in Bastrop Louisiana, even though, as a young man, he could barely put two words together, let alone speak a full sentence.

In spite of his severe stuttering disability, Bob Love, the son of a sharecropper, rose to become a Chicago Bulls NBA superstar, whose records were eventually surpassed by Michael Jordan. Throughout his entire athletic career, Bob Love kept his stuttering a secret from the fans who adored him, thinking he could do his “talking” on the basketball court.