Nínive Calegari is an educator, author, filmmaker, and advocate who has dedicated much of her career to supporting teachers and improving education for students.
She began her career as a high school teacher, an experience that inspired her to become a national advocate for educators. She later became the President and Co-Founder of The Teacher Salary Project, an organization focused on raising awareness about teacher compensation and the importance of attracting and keeping talented people in the teaching profession.
Calegari also co-founded 826 Valencia with author Dave Eggers. The nonprofit organization began in San Francisco and helps young people strengthen their writing and communication skills through free tutoring and creative educational programs. Its success helped inspire similar youth writing centers around the country.
She has also worked in filmmaking and co-produced the education documentary American Teacher, which explores the lives of teachers and some of the challenges facing the profession.
Calegari is a graduate of Middlebury College and earned a master's degree in education from Harvard University.
Throughout her career, she has worked to remind people that great teachers can have an enormous impact on a young person's life. Her story gives students an opportunity to learn about education, advocacy, writing, leadership, and how someone can turn an experience in the classroom into a career dedicated to creating change.
