Martín Salvetti

Martín Salvetti is a key figure in technical education in Argentina. As a teacher at Technical School No. 5 in Temperley, he led innovative projects that connect technical knowledge with social inclusion. A 2019 Global Teacher Prize finalist, his pedagogical leadership reshaped how education works from within the classroom, blending hands-on training, management skills, and community engagement.

Technical training and teaching commitment

Martín Salvetti was born in 1971 and chose technical education as a tool for transformation. He began his career as a mechanical technician and later trained as a teacher. From the beginning, he worked in public schools in the Buenos Aires suburbs, where he developed a pedagogical approach rooted in practice and in constant dialogue with his students’ social contexts.

Leadership from everyday experience

At Technical School No. 5 in Temperley, he promoted projects that integrated technical training with community involvement. The creation of a student-built school radio station became one of his most recognized achievements. The project combined technical knowledge, teamwork, and communication, turning the school into a platform where students lead and express themselves freely.

International recognition with local impact

In 2019, he was selected as one of the ten finalists for the Global Teacher Prize, organized by the Varkey Foundation. This recognition brought his work in technical education into the spotlight and made him the first Argentine teacher to reach that stage. Since then, he has been invited to international conferences and forums to share his hands-on, participatory educational approach.

Management with a development mindset

Although he never held a formal director position, he developed skills comparable to those of a CEO: organizing teams, designing interdisciplinary projects, seeking resources, institutional management, and networking with external stakeholders. His ability to lead from the classroom made him a national and international reference in educational leadership based on results and commitment.

Pedagogical innovation in a technical key

Salvetti advocates for technical education that not only teaches trades but also shapes citizens capable of engaging with their communities. Under his guidance, students work on real-world problems: from renewable energy to recycling, school media, and community maintenance. His methodology is grounded in hands-on work, always with an ethical, collaborative, and environmentally sustainable focus.

Influence in teacher training

His impact goes beyond the classroom: he has contributed to ongoing teacher training spaces, offering his experience as a model that can be adapted elsewhere. He also encourages technical teachers to play an active role in shaping education policies. His view of educators as transformative leaders has been adopted in various ministerial and academic settings across the country.

Projects based on social reality

A constant in his career is working with local needs. All of his projects stem from real issues in the neighborhood and in public institutions. For him, the school is a hub for integration, a place where technical knowledge, community values, and real opportunities intersect—especially for youth who often lack access to other networks. Pedagogical leadership becomes a tool for inclusion.

The Future of Technical Education

He continues teaching today, promoting new initiatives that connect technology with local development. His educational vision aligns with the country’s productive challenges: training technicians with environmental awareness, entrepreneurial capacity, and social responsibility. His legacy lives on in everyday practices, sustained without large budgets but with deep and lasting impact.