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: “I Thought You Were Dead” — Understanding the Impact of Our Absences on Students
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 explores the emotional and psychological effects that absences, even short ones, can have on children who rely on stability and routine. Dr. Pepin offers practical strategies for how teachers can support their students during these times, from acknowledging their feelings to reinstating routines that provide reassurance and security. Tune in for a heartfelt reminder of the powerful role teachers play as consistent, caring figures in their students’ lives.
Takeaway:
As educators, our presence means more than just being in the classroom—it’s about creating a safe, steady environment for our students.