Parkhurst, Helen (1887–1973)
Parkhurst, Helen (1887–1973)
American educator. Born Helen Parkhurst on Mar 7, 1887, in Durand, WI; died June 1, 1973, in New Milford, CT; dau. of James Henry Parkhurst (hotel keeper and civic leader) and Ida (Underwood) Parkhurst (teacher); Wisconsin State College, BS, 1907; Yale University, MA, 1943.
Taught in Wisconsin and Washington (1900s); drafted Laboratory Plan (later renamed Dalton Plan), to reorganize structure of schooling (1910); participated in International Montessori Teachers Training in Rome, Italy (1914); became 1st authorized trainer of Montessori teachers in US, as head of teacher training department at Montessori training college in NY (1917–18); in NYC, founded (1918) and directed (1918–42) renowned Children's University School (renamed Dalton School, 1920); wrote numerous books, including Education on the Dalton Plan (1922), And They Found Jimmy (1947) and Undertow (1963); was 1st Yale Fellow in Education (1943); produced radio and tv programs, "Child's World," "Growing Pains," and "The World of Sound" (1947–50); taught at College of the City of New York (1952–54).