Suzanne Pilon Hilton, NY | K-6, Science, 2008

Suzanne Pilon Portrait Photo

The official biography below was current at the time of the award.

Suzanne Pilon teaches a first and second grade class at Quest Elementary School, an International Baccalaureate (IB) Primary Years Program. She teaches science and mathematics, in addition to other subjects. Mrs. Pilon's professional service contributions include Teacher Leader for the Investigating Science program, Child Study Team Grade Level Leader, Technology Committee Representative, Administrative Team member, and Parent-Teacher-Student Organization Team Representative. Mrs. Pilon draws on resources ranging from technological materials to the environment to encourage students to explore and generate ideas and questions. She expands her students' personal and intellectual development through such activities as creek walks; remote camera observation of a nesting falcon; visits to a birds-of-prey migration site; and nurturing fish, reptiles, and insects in ecosystems that she creates in the classroom. In addition to a daily science workshop, Mrs. Pilon weaves science into other subjects. She has applied science to life lessons by teaching the children how to make soap, then advertise and sell it to help a Quest Elementary School family facing difficulties due to illness. This successful, ongoing fundraiser taught students about states of matter, energy, heat, units of measure, and scientific documentation. Mrs. Pilon has pursued many professional development activities. Her awards include District Teacher of the Year for Quest School of Choice, grant funding for the "Cycles of Salmon Creek" transcurricular study, and a school bus provided by a manufacturer for use as a traveling science classroom. Mrs. Pilon has a B.S. in psychology and an M.S. in elementary education from The College at Brockport, State University of New York.

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