Montclair Council Applauds Dan Gill As Beloved Teacher Retires

MONTCLAIR, NJ — One of Montclair’s most-respected teachers continues to get applause and heartfelt thanks from his community as he prepares to retire after more than a half century in the district.

Earlier this year, school administrators announced the impending retirement of Dan Gill, a beloved teacher known for his mastery in bringing civics and American democracy to life for three generations of Montclair students.

Gill’s 53-year career spans the tenures of 10 different U.S. presidents. Read More: Beloved Montclair Teacher Is Retiring As 'An Icon, Community Treasure'

On Tuesday, Gill was presented a proclamation of thanks at the Montclair Town Council meeting.

“His accomplishments are many, and to serve that long in any position – but certainly as an educator – for 53 years is just really, really impressive,” Mayor Sean Spiller said, offering his congratulations along with town council members.

Watch a video of the presentation below.

WHEREAS, Daniel Gill was born and raised in New York City. He graduated from Iona College with a B.A. in psychology. He served in Vista, the National Peace Corps. During this time, he counseled young inmates at Rikers Island Prison. He attended Columbia University and graduated with a master’s degree in urban education and Curriculum; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Gill came to the Montclair School System in September of 1970. This is his 53rd year teaching. He was part of the committee to redesign the middle schools of Montclair to desegregate the schools to comply with a court order. In 1984, he led the adoption of Glenfield as a peace site. In 1996, he coordinated the centennial of Glenfield School. In 2004, Mr. Gill and his students wrote a book on the history of Glenfield. It celebrated the Brown vs Board of Education ruling and its effect on desegregating the Montclair Public Schools. The focus of the book was to look at Glenfield as a microcosm of that decision; and

WHEREAS, In the classroom, Mr. Gill brings history and civics to life through project-based learning. Over the course of three years, students transform the classroom into a large-scale historical timeline and museum. The present day, however, is also central to his teaching. Not only do the students learn economics through a class money system, but also 8th grade culminates with a student-led civics project to round out their educational journey. His energy and creativity in the classroom are boundless; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Gill has served in the Upward Bound Program at Seton Hall University for 40 years. This program serves high school students from East Orange, Newark and Irvington and provides them with academic and counseling services with the intent of getting them into a college or university upon graduation from high school; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Gill has been the recipient of many awards, including the Robert Merril Scholar Award from Cornell University and was awarded the Euphema Lofton Haynes Award from the Montclair NAACP. He is part of a recent documentary entitled "The One That Got Away" that dealt with one of his students and how he fell into the gang culture, his subsequent arrest and imprisonment. Last year Mr. Gill served on the committee that organized the celebration of Glenfield’s 125th anniversary; and

WHEREAS, His story “No More Chairs” has been featured in the Montclair Times, The Montclair Local, nj.com and the Washington Post, Channel 4 and 7 evening news and My9 New Jersey Now. He has also appeared on the Kelly Clarkson Show. Mr. Gill is the proud father of three children, and he enjoys spending time with his six grandchildren and wife, Michelle, who has always provided him with support and encouragement.

NOW THEREFORE, the Mayor and Council of the Township of Montclair, hereby recognize the advocacy and contributions of Daniel Gill, a pillar of the Montclair community…and wish him well on his retirement.

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