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
Let's Talk, Teacher to Teacher With Dr. Gina Pepin
The Truth Be Told: Do Birds Live In Your Hair?
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 unique perspective, one shaped by his fascination with birds. This episode emphasizes the value of engaging with students’ curiosity—no matter how unusual their questions may seem—and using those moments as teachable opportunities that enrich the learning experience.
Takeaway:
By embracing the questions that come from our students, we open the door to deeper connections and learning experiences. Don’t be afraid to lean into the curiosity of your students—it may just lead to the most meaningful moments in your classroom.