Meet the award-winning creators

Zoo-phonics was born in the classroom. In 1983, Georgene "Gigi" Bradshaw began using kinesthetic techniques tied to phonics to teach reading and spelling to her students. Her unique and highly successful approach quickly caught on with other teachers, including her sister Charlene "Char" Wrighton.

Gigi and Char have teamed with illustrator Irene Clark and have taken Gigi's original techniques and made them the "Essences" and foundation for the Zoo-phonics Program, developing a comprehensive, balanced, literature-based method for teaching reading and spelling.

Gigi and Char retired from the classroom to devote full-time attention to Zoo-phonics' curriculum development and the training of teachers in phonetic instruction. Materials, readers and teaching techniques are continually being developed to support teachers and students in the classroom, and parents at home.

Gigi and Char hold Masters Degrees in Education and Curriculum with credentials in Regular and Special Education. In addition, Char has a degree in Administration. From 1986-1991 Char taught credentialing classes for the University of San Francisco and Chapman College. They both taught weekend workshops at Fresno Pacific University and University of the Pacific. Irene Clark, a master of various art media, has studied in the United States and Argentina and has won several awards in artistic competitions.

Zoo-phonics en español, developed by Irene Clark, was launched in the Fall of 1994, using the same brain-efficient and creative teaching techniques original to Zoo-phonics in English.

Try some Free Samples of the Zoo-phonics® program and get our Free Report, The Absolute Must-Do for Your Child’s Future Success.

"I am a veteran teacher of 23 years. I have a masters degree in reading and have taught both general and special education. Zoo-phonics is by far the most effective reading program that I have ever encountered in all my teaching years. My special education kindergarten students learned all of their letter sounds in 2 weeks!

I had such incredible results with this multi-sensory learning styles based program that, at first, I was reluctant to tell anyone because they wouldn't believe it. My district has adopted Zoo-phonics for all of our kindergartens. My professional assessment of Zoo-phonics is that it is the most brilliant and creative approach to reading that I have ever seen. I will NEVER teach reading without it again!"

--Pat Haberlein, Teacher
North Oakview Elem.
Grand Rapids, MI