Michael Galati was an English teacher at Lemont High School for forty years. During that time, he was held in the greatest esteem by students and colleagues. He began the Great Books program at Lemont High School, challenging his students to understand the importance of reading, creative expression, reflection, and critical thinking. Beyond his work as a teacher, he was a charter member of the Lemont Opportunity Council, an organization formed in the 1960s to organize and operate summer programs for youth in arts, drama, and cultural enrichment. The program was expanded in 1968 to establish a coffee house where young people could gather and exchange ideas. He was also an inaugural member of the Lemont Writer's Club, formed in 1988 to foster creative expression through writing. He also wrote a book of poetry, Love Me a Village, published in 1976. He is a member of the Illinois State Poetry Society and still presents poetry readings throughout the Chicago area.
Lemont Mayor Brian K. Reaves salutes Galati for his "lifetime contribution to the literary arts in educating two generations of Lemont students."
