Title: Author, Owner

Company: Joanne’s Books

Location: Queens, N.Y.

In March 2010, Ms. Calcagno retired from a rewarding 33-year teaching career. She spent the majority of her career as an elementary school teacher at P.S. 214, where she was able to utilize her expertise in curriculum development and instruction for kindergarten through sixth grade. She has noted that the most gratifying aspect of her career is seeing her students make academic progress and experience greater social development, and, in turn, thank her for her hard work.

Ms. Calcagno spent the first seven years of her career teaching in a challenging homogeneous setting. The following seven years, she taught in heterogeneous settings at a number of different levels. She also worked in a nursery school for another seven years. Ms. Calcagno was first attracted to the teaching profession by her second-grade teacher, Mrs. Nevins, who brought her a great deal of inspiration. She is also thankful for her mother’s influence in pursuing a career in education.

In addition to dedicating herself to teaching, Ms. Calcagno has achieved success as a talented writer. In 2007, her first book, “Raaof,” was published. The book chronicles the adolescent adventures of a young boy who emigrates from Yemen to Queens, N.Y. It details issues often encountered by foreign students acclimating to American schools. Ms. Calcagno wrote her next book, “Finally an Answer” in 2013. It deals with a young girl trying to find out what makes her different from others. She discovers she has bipolar disorder.

Ms. Calcagno received a master’s degree in elementary education, completing an additional 45 credits, from Queens College in 1976. She had completed additional studies at Bank Street College and the College of Staten Island. She is a member of various professional organizations, including the American Association of University Women and NAPW.

She is also involved in a number of philanthropic organizations, some of which include: Kids Wish Network, the Veterans Memorial Fund, St. Jude’s, 9-11 Museum, Women’s History Museum, and Guide dogs Fund.

Ms. Calcagno’s success has not gone without formal recognition. She was named a Worldwide Who’s Who Professional of the Year representing education for the 2008/2009 year. She was also featured in Cambridge Publishing’s “Top 101 Industry Experts” book, and selected for inclusion in the Cambridge 2010 calendar series. Ms. Calcagno has been published in a number of teaching magazines in recognition of the creative classrooms that she developed. Ms. Calcagno dedicates her Worldwide Who’s Who recognition to all of the teachers of the world, for they are training the leaders of tomorrow.