The Truth Be Told: "Bilingual? Nope, Bi-Cursive!”

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 into the joyful, unexpected lessons we get to learn right alongside them.

Check out more at www.ginapepin.com

#TeacherLife #LiteracyJourney #BilingualKids #CursiveWriting #ClassroomStories #FamilyLegacy #UnexpectedLessons #TeachingJoy #DiverseLearners #ReadingIsFun #StudentVoices #EducationMatters
#ParentTeacherConnections #EduHumor #CelebrateDifferences
#LanguageLearning #TeachersOfInstagram #PodcastEpisode #Edutalk #LearnWithJoy #LetsTalkTeachertoTeacher #JoyfulReadingApproach #MiEducator #TruthBeTold 

Transcript

SPEAKER_00: 0:12

Welcome back to Let's Talk Teacher to Teacher, the podcast where we share the meaningful moments that remind us why we love teaching. I'm Dr. Gina Peppen and today's episode is a story that blends language, family, and a little bit of humor. It starts with a new student of mine who shared something with me that opened a window into his world, and what I learned from it left me reflecting on how the small moments can sometimes make the biggest impact. This particular student, let's call him Michael, had recently joined our class, and during a conversation about the languages spoken in his home, something he said completely caught me off guard. It was about his dad and how they use language at home. He shared, everyone speaks fluent Spanish and English, but I don't read or write it though. I only read and write cursive. Now I'll admit I was puzzled for a moment. Cursive? Really? At first I wasn't sure whether to laugh or be truly amazed. Here we were talking about bilingualism, and Michael was telling me he only reads and writes in cursive. I paused for a second and I asked him to clarify. He explained that his dad had taught him cursive at a really young age, as a first grader, and it was the only form of writing that felt natural to him. Michael spoke both English and Spanish fluently at home, but when it came to reading and writing, cursive was his go-to. At that moment I realized there was so much more to Michael's statement than just an unusual preference for cursive. There was a deeper connection to his dad's influence in his life. His dad had created a bond with him through the act of teaching him cursive, an older, more traditional form of writing. But that connection, that act of teaching, was something that Michael clearly held very close to his heart. The lesson here wasn't just about cursive writing. It was about the importance of family influence on literacy and how sometimes the most personal small acts can make a huge impact on a child's learning. Michael's relationship with cursive wasn't just about the form of writing. It was about his dad's role in his life. So it was a part of their shared experiences, a bond they created through this particular way of communicating. For many of our students, their literacy journey is not just about the words that they read and write. It's also about who taught them, who nurtured that skill, and the memories attached to it. Michael's statement made me realize that while we may focus heavily on those traditional literacy measures like reading and print and writing in standard fonts, we must also recognize the significant role that family values and traditions play in shaping a child's understanding of language. For Michael, his dad's teaching was something he cherished, and it's something we can all learn from as we work to understand the different ways literacy is shaped in each child's life. As teachers, we are often quick to look for what's standard or what's expected. But the truth is every child brings their own unique story to the classroom. Michael's preference for cursive writing wasn't something I expected, but it was something that offered a valuable lesson in embracing the unexpected. Sometimes we have to let go of our preconceived notions and really listen to what our students are telling us. As a teacher, I often find that the best learning moments come when we least expect them. Michael's love for cursive writing may have seemed like a small quirky detail at first, but it led to a powerful conversation about family, language, and connection. It reminded me that the way our students experience literacy is as diverse as their family histories and their personal stories. So as we continue to teach and support our students, let us remember that literacy isn't just about the books we read or the words we write. It's about the relationships we build, the connections we make, and the unique stories that shape the way our students see and engage with the world. Thanks for tuning in to today's episode of Let's Talk Teacher to Teacher. I'm Dr. Gina Peppen, and I hope Michael's story has inspired you to think about the many ways literacy can be passed down and lived out in our students' lives. Next time a student shares something unexpected, embrace it. It could be the doorway to a much deeper understanding of who they are and what they bring to the classroom. Until next time, keep fostering curiosity, building those connections, and celebrating the unique ways your students experience the world.