Let's Talk, Teacher to Teacher With Dr. Gina Pepin
Welcome to the Let’s Talk, Teacher to Teacher podcast. My name is Dr. Gina Pepin - and I am so happy to meet you. I am a mom, teacher, professor, supervisor for teacher candidates, a reading specialist and a whole lot more! I am the 2023-2024 Region 1 Michigan Teacher of the Year and State Finalist - and also served in this role as part of the very first group of Regional Teachers/State Finalists of the Year in 2018-2019. But what I want you to know the most about me is… I have a great passion for early literacy and teacher preparation and the thing I am most proud of is of course our children… but my once in a lifetime chance to become a co-author, along with the extremely talented children’s author - Eric Litwin ! Together… we wrote: The Power of Joyful Reading: Help Your Young Readers Soar to Success. You can learn more about me - my experiences, how to hire me to speak at your workshops, schools, teacher programs etc… at www.ginapepin.com I offer you practical make and takes - easy tips along with real life shared stories - so that you can easily create joyful shared reading experiences and other amazing strategies and approaches in your classroom, daycare centers, and homes right away. I am here to help you make powerful changes - Let’s do this together. Check out the Ride and Read program I designed along with 100s of FREE resources at www.ginapepin.com
Episodes
When is a pumpkin more than a pumpkin? In this moving episode, Dr. Gina Pepin shares an unforgettable moment when a student in a simple classroom activity reveals how pumpkins have become a symbol of hope—and reunion—for his family. What starts as a cheerful show-and-tell quickly turns profound as Malik explains that pumpkins remind him of Thanksgiving, the day his mom is released from jail.
Dr. Pepin unpacks why it’s ...
Shine a light on learning—literally! In this episode, Dr. Gina Pepin shares the magic of Flashlight Friday, a simple but powerful way to boost student engagement and joy in the classroom. From word hunts and storytime to review games and focus activities, discover how a single flashlight can transform Fridays into an adventure students can’t wait for. Bright ideas, easy tips, and a little teacher fun—all in under 10 m...
What happens when a child pauses before writing the alphabet and asks, “In order?” In this episode, Dr. Gina Pepin explores how a simple question reveals the hidden pressures students feel, the unspoken rules they try to follow, and the importance of creating safe spaces where mistakes are part of learning.
Check out more resources at www.ginapepin.com
Glitter in your hair, rice on your sweater, and a puppet demanding snacks? Welcome to the world of multisensory reading! In this episode, Dr. Gina Pepin shares fun, practical strategies—like sand tracing, rhythm reading, and puppet storytelling—that help students with vision challenges connect to literacy through touch, sound, movement, and play. Messy? Sometimes. Effective? Absolutely. Tune in for teacher-tested tips...
Ever hear, “He’s not really reading—he just memorized it”? In this episode, Dr. Gina Pepin reframes memorization as an essential step in early literacy. From print awareness to story structure and fluency, those “memorized” books aren’t fake reading—they’re the spark that builds confident, joyful readers.
Check out more resources at www.ginapepin.com
In this episode, Dr. Gina Pepin invites teachers to become reading detectives as we explore the mysteries behind students whose eyes seem to have a mind of their own. From skipped lines to jumbled letters, these signs often point to visual processing and tracking challenges—not laziness.
Learn how to observe, gather clues, and implement tiered, multisensory supports that help students connect what they see, say, and do...
In this episode, Dr. Gina Pepin explores how teachers can create inclusive classrooms by using neutral, professional language and respecting students’ chosen names and pronouns. Learn practical strategies for balancing policies, honoring identities, and building a learning community where every student feels seen, safe, and valued.
Check out more at www.ginapepin.com
Ever thought of your read-alouds as musical performances? In this episode, Dr. Gina Pepin explores how tempo and dynamics—from slow and reflective Largo to fast and joyful Allegro—can transform the way children experience stories. Learn how matching your voice to the mood of a text engages students’ whole bodies, hearts, and brains, builds attention and comprehension, and makes storytime a joyful, memorable experience...
New Series: Reading in Focus: A Vision Series
Not All Reading Struggles Are Dyslexia
Description:
In this kickoff episode of Reading in Focus: A Vision Series on Let’s Talk Teacher to Teacher, Dr. Gina Pepin shines a light on an often-overlooked cause of reading difficulties—visual processing challenges.
We tend to jump straight to phonics or even assume dyslexia when students struggle to read. But sometimes,...
In this episode of Let’s Talk Teacher to Teacher, Dr. Gina Pepin invites you to rethink how we approach data-driven intervention. Too often, data becomes a spotlight on what students can’t do—overshadowing the many things they can do.
Join Dr. Gina as she explores how shifting to a strengths-first mindset can transform your intervention practices. You’ll hear how to use student strengths as powerful entry points for gr...
In this heartwarming and humorous episode of Let’s Talk Teacher to Teacher, Dr. Gina Pepin shares the story of a second grader who proudly announced, “I have three dads!” after seeing a picture of their speech and language pathologist’s very tall family. What started as giggles about height turned into a powerful reminder of the diverse ways students define family.
Through this spontaneous moment of storytelling, Dr. G...
In this episode, Dr. Gina Pepin takes us to the small-group reading table, where one second grader’s honest declaration—“It’s clear as mud”—becomes the heart of a bigger lesson about teaching and learning. With humor and heart, Dr. Pepin reflects on why confusion is not failure, but a powerful step toward growth.
She reminds us that the “mud moments” in literacy instruction aren’t setbacks—they’re invitations. Invitati...
In this short and inspiring episode of Let’s Talk Teacher to Teacher, Dr. Gina Pepin introduces Story Stones — a playful, hands-on tool that makes storytelling and literacy come alive. Discover what story stones are, how to make them (without fuss or expensive supplies), and creative ways to use them for building language, narrative skills, and even social-emotional connections in your classroom.
From circle-time adven...
Tune in as Gina reflects on the importance of honoring students’ everyday lives, celebrating unexpected “aha” moments, and letting the real world into our classrooms. It’s a funny, feel-good story with a side of educational wisdom—and maybe a craving for nacho fries.
Because sometimes, the key to a student’s learning journey starts with a double-L and a crunchy taco.
In this laugh-out-loud (and tear-a-little) episode, Dr. Gina Pepin shares the unforgettable tale of Hutch—a golden doodle turned honorary assistant principal—and the surprisingly profound lessons he teaches about emotional regulation, trauma-informed practice, and the power of a well-timed head tilt.
Join Gina as she reflects on a high-stress parent meeting that took an unexpected turn thanks to a dog with impeccable t...
In this heartwarming episode of Let’s Talk Teacher to Teacher, Dr. Gina Pepin reflects on the unexpected, yet powerful, moments that remind us of the importance of curiosity and understanding in the classroom. Dr. Pepin shares a story from her experience with a student named Lucas, who asked, “Do birds live in your hair?”
Instead of dismissing the question, Dr. Pepin saw it as an opportunity to embrace her student’s un...
In this deeply moving episode of Let’s Talk Teacher to Teacher, Dr. Gina Pepin dives into the impact our absences and disruptions in routine can have on students—particularly those who have experienced trauma. Through a poignant story from her own classroom, Dr. Pepin reflects on a moment when a student, Tommy, expressed his fear of loss after her absence, saying, "I thought you were dead."
This episode explo...
In today’s episode of Let’s Talk Teacher to Teacher, Dr. Gina Pepin explores the beauty in the worn and weathered books that live in our classrooms. From frayed covers to chocolate milk stains, these books tell a story of love, devotion, and connection. Celebrate the books that have been reread, retold, and reimagined by the students who treasure them. Because when a book falls apart, it means it’s been held together ...
In this touching episode of Let’s Talk Teacher to Teacher, Dr. Gina Pepin shares a real-life story from her classroom that shines a light on the literacy challenges many students face at home. When a young student casually reveals that his bookshelf holds mail instead of books, it sparks a deeper conversation about access, equity, and the essential role teachers play in nurturing a love for reading.
Join Dr. Pepin as s...
What happens when benchmark testing sneaks its way into morning announcements? In this heartfelt and humorous episode of Let’s Talk Teacher to Teacher, Dr. Gina Pepin shares a story of two second-grade announcers who mistook fluency for speed—and flew through the morning news like it was a ORF sprint.
Join Dr. Pepin as she reflects on how easily our students can misinterpret assessment pressures and why it’s up to us t...
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