John Downey’s 24-year teaching career (Royal High in Simi Valley) took a dramatic turn thirteen years ago toward preparing students for engaged and well informed citizenship.  

John has spent many years in collaboration with the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library, with whom he helped create Royal’s award-winning Citizen Scholar Institute. His work in and out of the classroom led to the Senior High Outstanding Teacher Award from CCSS (2017).

John’s interests include the National Park Service, hockey, pressed pennies, and wearing cufflinks like Madeleine Albright wears brooches.