John Taylor Gatto

Date of Birth: December 15, 1935

Zodiac Sign: Sagittarius

Date of Death: October 25, 2018

Biography

John Taylor Gatto was an influential American educator, author, and public speaker known for his critical views on the modern educational system. Born in Monongahela, Pennsylvania, Gatto devoted nearly three decades to teaching in the New York City public school system. He became widely recognized for his unorthodox teaching methods and his ability to inspire students to think critically and independently. Gatto’s seminal work, “Dumbing Us Down: The Hidden Curriculum of Compulsory Schooling,” published in 1992, challenged the traditional educational paradigms and advocated for homeschooling and alternative education. Gatto was a tireless advocate for educational reform, arguing that the conventional school system stifled creativity and intellectual growth. Throughout his career, he received numerous accolades, including the New York State Teacher of the Year award in 1991. After retiring from teaching, Gatto dedicated his time to writing and speaking about educational issues, leaving a lasting impact on educators, parents, and students worldwide.

5 Interesting Facts about John Taylor Gatto

1. John Taylor Gatto resigned from teaching in 1991 with a public letter titled “I Quit, I Think” published in the Wall Street Journal.

2. He won the New York State Teacher of the Year award twice, in 1989 and 1990.

3. Gatto’s book “Dumbing Us Down” has been translated into several languages and remains a critical text in the homeschooling community.

4. He served in the U.S. Army medical corps before becoming a teacher.

5. Gatto was known for his “open classroom” approach, often taking his students on field trips and encouraging experiential learning.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from John Taylor Gatto

1. “Whatever an education is, it should make you a unique individual, not a conformist.”

2. “Schools are meant to produce, through the application of formulas, formulaic human beings whose behavior can be predicted and controlled.”

3. “Genius is as common as dirt. We suppress our genius only because we haven’t yet figured out how to manage a population of educated men and women.”

4. “Children learn at their own pace and in their own way, and the best education recognizes and honors those differences.”

5. “The truth is that schools don’t really teach anything except how to obey orders.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

John Taylor Gatto’s highest net worth is not publicly documented, but his influence and contributions to educational reform are considered invaluable.