Long-time precarious worker, hired at school at the age of 63: Fabrizio's revenge story

In a classroom full of young aspiring teachers, a 63-year-old man sat among the candidates for the competitive exam to become a tenured teacher. At first, the students looked at him curiously, wondering who he was. Then, realizing that the man was there for the same goal, they began cheering him on. “Their solidarity was fundamental,” tell today Fabrizio Pellegrini, from Trieste, who after a long and precarious career finally managed to win the competition.

In less than a year, Pellegrini will be able to say goodbye to precariousness and start teaching on a permanent basis, a goal he describes as "extraordinary". However, there is a paradox: he has less than five years left before retirement. “It will be a career upside down, but I will finally be able to do what I love without worries”, he states with satisfaction.

Pellegrini's passion for teaching blossomed late.

Since then, the path to becoming a tenured teacher has been full of obstacles. In 2017, after returning to Friuli Venezia Giulia, he began teaching in two high schools, the Brignoli-Einaudi-Marconi of Gradisca d'Isonzo and Galileo-Fermi-Pacassi of Gorizia, where he still works. Despite excellent results in previous competitions, Pellegrini was passed by candidates with more qualifications or had to give up due to family problems.

In 2023, Pellegrini has decided to tackle what he calls “the last resort”: a new competition. He passed the pre-test in February in Pordenone, then, in May, the practical test in the province of Salerno: eight hours of intense work. Finally, the oral exam, a simulation of a lesson and an interview in English.

“When I learned I had made it, it was an indescribable joy”, he says. Pellegrini is now among the oldest – if not the oldest – teachers to have been hired on a permanent basis. He still has to complete his training credits and a probationary year before he can get a permanent position. “This achievement is the result of years of sacrifice and dedication”, explains Pellegrini. His story is a message for anyone chasing a dream, at any age: it is never too late to change your life and achieve your goals.