| Feb
28, 1909 |
Grace Helen Pilon , Author of WORKSHOP WAY was born into a family of 14 children to Fred and Alice Thibeault Pilon in Ecorse, Michigan. |
| 1926-27 |
Attended
Detroit Teachers’ College, now Wayne State University. |
| 1933 |
Joined
a teaching order, Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament, Bensalem,
PA. Encouraged by Katherine Drexel to persevere with her educational
vision to create ways to bring hope and success to students.
Since 1936 taught school in Cleveland, New York City, Philadelphia;
New Iberia, LA; Pawhuska, OK; and Chicago. WORKSHOP WAY evolved
during her 40 years of classroom teaching. |
| 1945 |
Assigned
to teach school in Pawhuska, OK. Taught first and second grades.
Later taught these students Junior High. Saw the need to get
students to develop and keep a love of learning and develop
a sense of “person” power.
The
“Workshop Schedule” had its beginning in a Things
to Do Chart—which was not successful; she tried posting
jobs or task signs on a wall—lined up in order. Worked
better. |
| 1961 |
Began
summer studies in St. Louis University for a Master’s
Degree in Special Education; professors and Educational Chairperson
Trafford Maher, SJ became very interested in her educational
ideas and encouraged her to write and publish.
Introduced the “homework vocabulary
lessons” |
| 1965 |
Introduced
Freedom of Conversation during Workshop time in her last year
of teaching. |
| 1967 |
Stationed
at Xavier University of Louisiana in New Orleans to teach, write
and spread WORKSHOP WAY. Worked with Sr. Loyola Edelen in Teacher
Corps and Special Projects. Worked at New Orleans Public Schools,
Danneel #2. Had 51 non-readers in grades 4-7 in three learning
labs using WW. Students achievement improved rapidly. Ladybird
Johnson included visit to see WW in action at this school during
a trip to New Orleans. |
| 1968 |
THINKERS
developed to a much greater degree and variety. By now, Pilon
had organized steps of communication with a smile, rhyming,
reviewing sounds taught, auditory and visual discrimination
exercises, Sound Spelling, THINKERS, (Risk) Sheets of the present
WW phonics five activities.
Courses began to be taught in WORKSHOP WAY
at Xavier University. Received grant from Southern Education Foundation
for WW research and development “to search for significant
changes in education of poor children”
Began to speak at many conferences and workshops
with Sr. Loyola Edelen. At one of these first workshops at
Ohio State workshop, two persons that had a strong influence
on WW development were present: Dr. Daniel Heisler, whose
leadership spread WW for over 30 years through Bowling Green
State University in Ohio and Dr. George Young, future superintendent
of St. Paul Schools, where Pilon was invited to work. |
| 1969 |
Received
$10,000 grant from HEW for WW research in New Orleans. By this
time, WW had reached teachers from Grades Kindergarten to Grade
8. |
| 1970 |
Pilon
had privately written and published WW’s major text WORKSHOP
WAY.
Received $20,000 grant from Archdioceses of
New Orleans for WW development. WW work at Danneel observed
by teachers from St. Paul public schools. Seed planted. |
| 1972 |
First
WORKSHOP WAY school K-8 St. David’s, New Orleans was created.
Kathleen Gallagher, Principal. Ann Marie McMahon, coordinator.
WW School (Grades 1-6) started in Coldwater,
Michigan public Schools. Principal Marguerite Gibbs. |
| 1973-77 |
Pilon
worked at three public schools of St. Paul, Minnesota, Special
Programs Division to coordinate WORKSHOP WAY at the invitation
of George Young, Superintendent. |
| 1976 |
First
National WORKSHOP WAY conference held at Manhattan College,
New York School site visitations at St. Augustine, Bronx; St.
Jude, Manhattan, and St. Augustine, New York City. Participants
were from 11 states. National conferences have continued to
the present. |
| 1977 |
Establishment
of National Association of WW Educators |
| 1979 |
Pilon
acquired experimental privileges at Xavier University for an
undergraduate WW certification approved by the State of Louisiana,
but was terminated five years later.
Numerous teacher summer workshops in WW through
Education Service Centers in Texas began. |
| 1981 |
High
School Handbook written by Marietta Fritz and Grace Pilon. |
| 1990 |
Kathleen
Gallagher made Executive Director of WW. |
| 1991 |
Pilon
became ill; recuperated with sisters of Blessed Sacrament Motherhouse
in PA recovered and wrote two more books in the Human Growth/Intelligence
series. |
| 1993 |
Received
an honorary doctorate in Education from Bowling Green State
University, Ohio presented to her at the SBS Motherhouse in
Bensalem. BGSU’s late Dr. Darte Thuraratnam, longtime
friend of Sr. Grace presented the award. |
| Jan
30, 1995 |
Grace
Pilon died peacefully on Jan. 30 in Bensalem, PA. Her funeral
service was a fitting tribute to her many years of loving teachers
and children through the WW system. |
| 1996-Present |
WW
phonics, math and grade level handbooks are redone by WW consultants.
WW consultant organization is strong. Susan Harnage is Executive
Director of WW; Sr. Melita Bearinger is Business Manager; Sr.
Maria Concetta is president of WW, Inc. The Workshop Way, Inc
and the WW Board of directors consisting of SBS sisters. |
