Fr. Sabato “Sal” Pilato: Education Alumnus to Speak to College-Bound Youth

Father Sabato “Sal” Pilato (Class of ’87, M.A., education administration) will speak to a group of potential students at California State University, Dominguez Hills at Parochial and Private School Day on Feb. 21, an event that will be hosted by the CSUDH office of University Outreach and Information Services. As the superintendent for secondary schools in the Archdiocese of Los Angeles, he oversees 50 academies and high schools throughout the three counties of Los Angeles, Ventura and Santa Barbara.

“I became an educator because of the important role teachers have in transmitting our culture and civilization to the next generation and also in preparing young people to be critically thinking citizens of this country,” Pilato says.

A graduate of San Pedro High School, Pilato earned his bachelor’s degree and master’s of divinity at St. John’s Seminary in Los Angeles, and went on to get his single subject teaching credential in social science and a master’s in education administration at CSUDH, where he was an instructor in the teacher education program. He was ordained to the priesthood in 1992 and served as associate pastor at Christ the King parish in Hollywood from 1992 to 1996.

Before his appointment last fall as secondary school superintendent, Pilato was principal of Junipero Serra High School in Gardena for 12 years. Pilato also taught at Dana Junior High in San Pedro, where he served as social studies department chair and dean of students. He currently serves on the Board of Visitors of the School of Education at Loyola Marymount University, the Advisory Council of Secondary Principals, the Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development and the National Council for the Social Studies. He is a recipient of the Outstanding Alum Award at CSU Dominguez Hills.

A product of and a former teacher in public schools, Pilato is an advocate of educational vouchers that would widen the options for parents who choose public education over private school because of the cost.

“While Catholic school education is still the best buy in town, many parents struggle to pay tuition,” he says. “Canada and many western European countries allow parents to choose between public and private education without the financial penalty that exists in the U.S. for those who choose the latter.”

As the guest speaker at Parochial and Private School Day at CSUDH on Feb. 21, Pilato be talking to parents and students about his time at CSUDH, his experiences as a teacher, and the importance of pursuing higher education.

“The college degree is one of the major keys to success, fulfillment and happiness in this life,” he says. “Educated people attest to this... so never give up on this important goal.”

- Joanie Harmon