Maribeth Calabro is the New President
of Rhode Island’s Largest Teachers Union

‘I’ve seen a lot,’ Calabro says as she exits the Providence public school district

Share
Maribeth Calabro is the New President
of Rhode Island’s Largest Teachers Union
Copy

After 30 years as a special education teacher in Providence, Maribeth Calabro is leaving the classroom to be the president of the R.I. Federation of Teachers and Health Professionals, the state chapter of the American Federation of Teachers.

She’s seen a lot of change in three decades teaching at Nathanael Greene Middle School — “I’m older than the furniture,” she joked — where she also served as the Providence Teachers Union president before being elevated to the statewide union.

In an interview with “Rhode Island PBS Weekly” and the Rhode Island Report podcast, Calabro discussed the Providence schools’ financial crisis, her early thoughts on the 2026 governor’s race and this year’s RICAS scores.

This story is part of a collaboration between The Boston Globe Rhode Island and Rhode Island PBS. To access the Globe online for free for 30 days, sign up here (no credit card required).

‘Tides of Change,’ the latest in a docuseries on underwater ecosystems in Rhode Island, premieres tonight at 9 p.m.
The omnipresence of the Washington Bridge, for better or worse
Whether you’re here for the beach, the World Cup or just a proper summer food crawl, add these Rhode Island staples to your Ocean State itinerary
Whether you’re looking for gentle waves, big surf, a day trip or even local bragging rights, here are the Rhode Island beaches our staff keep coming back to
Ocean State Media’s statewide listening tour stopped in Warwick where students, teens and residents talk about journalism, civic life and issues shaping their community
The beloved Jewelry District bar is celebrating three decades with a weekend festival featuring more than two dozen local bands