Who is Jay Patterson

Jay Patterson is a highly respected Public School teacher, veteran Homeschool Educator, and teacher trainer. He holds a B.S. Degree in English and a Masters Degree in Elementary Reading and Literacy.

He has taught Language Arts, Literature, Journalism, Creative Writing, and Drama since 1973.

Jay is a playwright and successful drama director, a committed father and recent grandfather, and is actively involved in his church and community.

Jay is the author of three books: Reading Works - Gleanings from My Journey along The Writing Road to Reading, Grammar Works - Equipping Students with Tools to Master the English Language, and Writing Works - An Analytical Approach to Writing.

These published works came about as a result of his present responsibilities in his school as a teacher of both gifted and at-risk students and at the prodding of his workshop participants over the years. Jay and Jeanne have also authored many support materials that accompany these texts including Flash Cards and Ayres List Primers A, B & C.

In the consistent effort to make this very effective method of teaching language arts ever more teacher-friendly, Jay continues to develop the flashcards for each section of the Word Management System.

 

Who are The Works People

We are the Jay Patterson family. Both Jay and Jeanne are experienced public school instructors.

Jeanne, who provides much of the phone and e-mail consulting included in the price of tuition, has classroom teaching experience as well as being a veteran home educator. When she is not taking your calls, she stays busy proofreading and editing Jay's books, co-authoring the primers, and developing materials in a continuing effort to remove confusion and make the method ever easier for you to teach....and, oh yes, being Grandma to Whittier and Everest.

Jared graduated from Fergus Falls Community College as well as our Home School in the spring of 2000. In 2003 he received his B.S. Degree in Electrical Engineering from North Dakota State University having also completed all requirements for Computer Engineering. He received his M.S. Degree in Computer Science in 2004. While working for IBM in Rochester, MN, he met his wife, Britta. Upon completion of her Doctorate of Physical Therapy from Mayo, they moved to Alexandria, MN where he established the software department and continues to work for Douglas Scientific (now LGC Group). They are the parents of two sons.

Joel graduated from Northwest Technical College as well as our Home School in the spring of 2002 with an A.A.S. Degree in Telecommunications Technology/Info Systems. In 2004 he completed his B.S. Degree in Technical Management from Minnesota State University Moorhead. He received his B.S. Degree in Graphic Communications in 2006. After working for Ottertail Corporation and C.J. Robinson, he moved to Alexandria, MN where he established the IT Infrastructure for Douglas Scientific (now LGC). His wife, Sarah, has a B.S. in biology from UW, La Crosse and was at Douglas Scientific completing an ATC internship in Mechatronix when they met. Joel is currently the Senior IT Systems Integration Engineer for LGC Group,

Our Milestones

  • 1971
    Jeanne Begins Teaching

    Jeanne began her classroom teaching in 1971 where she taught for 5 years.

  • 1973
    Jay Begins Teaching

    Jay began teaching Language arts, Journalism, Creative Writing, Literature and Drama.

  • 1989
    Dr. Orton's Research

    Introduced to Dr. Orton's research and resulting methodology.

  • 1990
    Classroom Trial

    Began using this reading concept in the classroom and at home.

  • 1993
    Training Workshop

    First training workshops conducted.

  • 1995
    Spelling Flashcards

    Spelling Rules Flashcards created / Grammar Works manual written.

  • 1996
    Legal Definitions

    Legal Definitions and Multiples Flashcards created.

  • 1998
    Reading Works

    Reading Works manual written / Grammar Works manual published.

  • 2002
    Primers Written

    Primers A, B, & C written and published.

  • 2004
    Writing Works

    Writing Works written and published.

  • 2010
    Word Management System

    Word Management System developed - revolutionizing delivery of word analysis with word-for-word scripting.

  • 2019
    Reading WORKS Online !

    A step-by-step road map with word-for-word instruction.

  • 2020
    Grammar WORKS Online !

    Equipping students with the basic grammar skills for more advanced English and Composition courses.

Our Impact

5100

Students have completed Reading Works

4750

Students have completed Grammar Works

112

Students are National Merit Scholars

890

Students scored a Perfect 36 in the ACT Exam