Send us a text Welcome to Let’s Talk Teacher to Teacher with Dr. Gina Pepin! In this inspiring episode, “Learning to Read Should Not Just Be Taught – It Should Be Experienced and Celebrated!”, Dr. Gina Pepin invites educators to see reading instruction in a whole new light. Instead of simply teaching reading as a set of mechanical skills, Dr. Pepin shares practical strategies for transforming your classroom into a celebration of reading—making it an immersive, joyful, and shared experience fo...

Send us a text How can your classroom design help students develop both strong literacy skills and healthy motor development? Join Dr. Pepin in this eye-opening episode as she explores the power of vertical and horizontal reading and writing spaces—and how simple occupational therapy (OT) strategies can boost student engagement, fine motor skills, and overall learning! Discover creative ways to use interactive word walls, writing stations, slant boards, and movement breaks to turn your classr...

Send us a text Why do young learners flip or reverse letters when they start reading and writing? In this bite-sized episode Dr. Gina Pepin sheds light on one of the most common concerns in early literacy—letter transpositions! Discover why these mix-ups happen, when they're simply a normal part of development, and how to patiently support students as they learn the differences between “b” and “d” or “was” and “saw.” Dr. Pepin breaks down the developmental, visual, and memory factors behind l...

Send us a text Did you know that 20/20 eyesight isn’t enough for reading success? In this episode, Dr. Gina Pepin explores the critical difference between being able to see the page and truly being able to read it. You’ll learn about functional vision (how well eyes track and coordinate as you read) and visual efficiency (how smoothly your eyes and brain work together for comfortable, fluent reading). Discover the hidden signs that a student’s reading struggles might be rooted in vision—not m...

Send us a text Can a student have perfect eyesight and still struggle to read? Absolutely! In this eye-opening episode of “Let’s Talk Teacher to Teacher,” Dr. Gina Pepin unpacks the difference between simply seeing letters and truly reading them. Explore why strong visual perception skills—like tracking, spacing, and visual-motor integration—are just as important as 20/20 vision in the reading process. Discover how teachers and specialists can recognize the hidden signs of visual challenges a...

Send us a text How can we as educators help students not only overcome adversity but truly flourish? In this episode, Dr. Gina Pepin explores the powerful impact of Positive Childhood Experiences (PCEs) and how shifting our focus from challenges to strengths can transform classroom culture and student development. You’ll learn the key difference between Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and PCEs—and why fostering positive, nurturing moments matters just as much, if not more, than preventin...

Send us a text Ever had a student ask, “You don’t even have your own classroom?” For reading specialists, interventionists, and instructional coaches, that innocent question can hold more weight than you’d think. In this episode, Dr. Gina Pepin shares the joys, challenges, and unique identity of educators whose work happens everywhere—but rarely behind their own decorated door. With warmth and wisdom, Dr. Pepin explores what it means to teach from hallways, borrowed tables, and small-group ro...

Send us a text Why does a student who can read “cat” get stuck on “catastrophe”? In this lively and practical episode of "Let’s Talk Teacher to Teacher," Dr. Gina Pepin breaks down why varying orthographic patterns during literacy intervention is a game-changer for young readers. Instead of getting stuck in an endless loop of CVC words, students deserve the tools and confidence to tackle real, unpredictable text. Dr. Pepin walks listeners through four key stages of orthographic progression—fr...

Send us a text Have you ever wondered what your students really think when they see you walk into the classroom—especially on one of those “bad hair” days? In this episode, Dr. Gina Pepin shares a lighthearted yet meaningful story about the day a student said her hair looked like a goat, launching a candid conversation about the powerful role perception plays in education. With warmth and humor, Dr. Pepin explores how students form impressions of us—based not just on how we look, but how we c...

Send us a text In Eyes on the Prize: Fun Strategies for Visual Tracking and Convergence, you’ll pick up easy, classroom-friendly tips to help students whose eyes have a mind of their own—pencil push-ups, line trackers, flashlight games, and more. Discover why these “eye workouts” can help unleash reading fluency (and maybe leave you with a new appreciation for the phrase “eye roll”). Join Dr. Pepin for a lively, teacher-to-teacher chat that will have you laughing, learning, and eyeing your re...

Send us a text Dr. Gina Pepin returns with another classroom story guaranteed to make you smile! If you think being bilingual is impressive, wait till you meet Michael—he reads and writes only in cursive, thanks to Dad’s legacy. In this episode, you’ll laugh and reflect on how our students’ experiences with literacy can be as diverse—and curly—as their handwriting. Join Dr. Pepin for a heartfelt reminder that the quirks our students bring to class are windows into their family histories—and i...

Send us a text Step into a world where literacy meets play and imagination leads the way. In this episode, Dr. Gina Pepin shares a simple but powerful routine—an Imagination Walk—that builds vocabulary, sparks creative thinking, and nurtures joyful expression without ever leaving the classroom. Through guided storytelling, students learn to listen, visualize, and share ideas while strengthening oral language and early writing skills. What possibilities could open in your classroom if you invi...

Send us a text What happens when stories step off the page and come to life—literally? In this episode of Let’s Talk Teacher to Teacher, Dr. Gina Pepin explores the powerful connection between movement, memory, and meaning through a simple but transformative idea: dancing a story. Discover how teachers can use creative movement to deepen comprehension, boost engagement, and support emotional expression—without needing a dance background. From acting out wind and weather to becoming butt...

Send us a text 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 essential to listen beyond surface-level responses, inviting...

Send us a text 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 minutes. Check out more resources at www.ginapepin.com Support...

Send us a text 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, a few classroom laughs, and one big reminder: reading can (...

Send us a text 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 Support the show

Send us a text 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 Support the show

Send us a text 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. Discover practical classroom strategies, from finger guide...

Send us a text In this episode, Dr. Gina Pepin explores how teachers can create inclusive classrooms by using neutral, professional language and respecting students. 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 Support the show