What can you say about a woman who's influence helped shape the lives of so many? She counted among her students people who went on to become doctors, lawyers, movie and television personalities, politicians and sports figures. She inspired generations and touched each student she came in contact with. She was an extraordinary teacher.
Rose Gilbert was born in Los Angeles to Abraham and Ida Rubin who were Polish immigrants. After graduating from UCLA in 1940, she taught briefly at University High School, then worked as a contract agent at MGM Studios. In 1950, after her first husband died, she married Sam Gilbert, a successful builder and developer. It was Sam who encouraged her to get back into the classroom, saying she was "born to teach." She started at what is now Palisades Charter High School in Pacific Palisades, California when it first opened its doors in 1961. There she remained for more than 50 years, still teaching at the age of 94, becoming the oldest full-time teacher in the Los Angeles Unified School District.
Mama G did not have to teach. When her husband, Sam, died in 1987, she inherited a fortune. She used this money to help the two schools that were closest to her heart, Palisades Charter High School and UCLA. She donated $2 million to build the Maggie Gilbert Aquatic Center (named for her daughter) on the Palisades Charter campus and an additional $1 million for renovation of the performing arts classroom and auditorium. At UCLA she endowed several athletic scholarships and created the Rose and Sam Gilbert Fellowship, awarded annually to two student-athletes who were admitted into a UCLA graduate program. She also funded the Rose Gilbert Honors Programs Scholarship and the Rose Gilbert Undergraduate Research Scholarship.
Rose Gilbert had a life spirit, clarity of mind and commitment to teaching that was incredible and inspiring. The world is indeed a better place for Rose Gilbert having lived in it.
In a posthumous tribute, former student J.J. Abrams (Writer and Director) based the character Maz Kanata in Star Wars, The Force Awakens, on Rose Gilbert. Production Designer Rick Carter was also a former student.
Rose Gilbert was born in Los Angeles to Abraham and Ida Rubin who were Polish immigrants. After graduating from UCLA in 1940, she taught briefly at University High School, then worked as a contract agent at MGM Studios. In 1950, after her first husband died, she married Sam Gilbert, a successful builder and developer. It was Sam who encouraged her to get back into the classroom, saying she was "born to teach." She started at what is now Palisades Charter High School in Pacific Palisades, California when it first opened its doors in 1961. There she remained for more than 50 years, still teaching at the age of 94, becoming the oldest full-time teacher in the Los Angeles Unified School District.
Mama G did not have to teach. When her husband, Sam, died in 1987, she inherited a fortune. She used this money to help the two schools that were closest to her heart, Palisades Charter High School and UCLA. She donated $2 million to build the Maggie Gilbert Aquatic Center (named for her daughter) on the Palisades Charter campus and an additional $1 million for renovation of the performing arts classroom and auditorium. At UCLA she endowed several athletic scholarships and created the Rose and Sam Gilbert Fellowship, awarded annually to two student-athletes who were admitted into a UCLA graduate program. She also funded the Rose Gilbert Honors Programs Scholarship and the Rose Gilbert Undergraduate Research Scholarship.
Rose Gilbert had a life spirit, clarity of mind and commitment to teaching that was incredible and inspiring. The world is indeed a better place for Rose Gilbert having lived in it.
In a posthumous tribute, former student J.J. Abrams (Writer and Director) based the character Maz Kanata in Star Wars, The Force Awakens, on Rose Gilbert. Production Designer Rick Carter was also a former student.
What can you say about a woman who's influence helped shape the lives of so many? She counted among her students people who went on to become doctors, lawyers, movie and television personalities, politicians and sports figures. She inspired generations and touched each student she came in contact with. She was an extraordinary teacher.
Rose Gilbert was born in Los Angeles to Abraham and Ida Rubin who were Polish immigrants. After graduating from UCLA in 1940, she taught briefly at University High School, then worked as a contract agent at MGM Studios. In 1950, after her first husband died, she married Sam Gilbert, a successful builder and developer. It was Sam who encouraged her to get back into the classroom, saying she was "born to teach." She started at what is now Palisades Charter High School in Pacific Palisades, California when it first opened its doors in 1961. There she remained for more than 50 years, still teaching at the age of 94, becoming the oldest full-time teacher in the Los Angeles Unified School District.
Mama G did not have to teach. When her husband, Sam, died in 1987, she inherited a fortune. She used this money to help the two schools that were closest to her heart, Palisades Charter High School and UCLA. She donated $2 million to build the Maggie Gilbert Aquatic Center (named for her daughter) on the Palisades Charter campus and an additional $1 million for renovation of the performing arts classroom and auditorium. At UCLA she endowed several athletic scholarships and created the Rose and Sam Gilbert Fellowship, awarded annually to two student-athletes who were admitted into a UCLA graduate program. She also funded the Rose Gilbert Honors Programs Scholarship and the Rose Gilbert Undergraduate Research Scholarship.
Rose Gilbert had a life spirit, clarity of mind and commitment to teaching that was incredible and inspiring. The world is indeed a better place for Rose Gilbert having lived in it.
In a posthumous tribute, former student J.J. Abrams (Writer and Director) based the character Maz Kanata in Star Wars, The Force Awakens, on Rose Gilbert. Production Designer Rick Carter was also a former student.
Rose Gilbert was born in Los Angeles to Abraham and Ida Rubin who were Polish immigrants. After graduating from UCLA in 1940, she taught briefly at University High School, then worked as a contract agent at MGM Studios. In 1950, after her first husband died, she married Sam Gilbert, a successful builder and developer. It was Sam who encouraged her to get back into the classroom, saying she was "born to teach." She started at what is now Palisades Charter High School in Pacific Palisades, California when it first opened its doors in 1961. There she remained for more than 50 years, still teaching at the age of 94, becoming the oldest full-time teacher in the Los Angeles Unified School District.
Mama G did not have to teach. When her husband, Sam, died in 1987, she inherited a fortune. She used this money to help the two schools that were closest to her heart, Palisades Charter High School and UCLA. She donated $2 million to build the Maggie Gilbert Aquatic Center (named for her daughter) on the Palisades Charter campus and an additional $1 million for renovation of the performing arts classroom and auditorium. At UCLA she endowed several athletic scholarships and created the Rose and Sam Gilbert Fellowship, awarded annually to two student-athletes who were admitted into a UCLA graduate program. She also funded the Rose Gilbert Honors Programs Scholarship and the Rose Gilbert Undergraduate Research Scholarship.
Rose Gilbert had a life spirit, clarity of mind and commitment to teaching that was incredible and inspiring. The world is indeed a better place for Rose Gilbert having lived in it.
In a posthumous tribute, former student J.J. Abrams (Writer and Director) based the character Maz Kanata in Star Wars, The Force Awakens, on Rose Gilbert. Production Designer Rick Carter was also a former student.
