Matthew Biasotti

Tell us why you became a teacher

As a high school student I had a very intellectual ceramics teacher, that eventually became my mentor and now great friend. He taught me that ceramics was more than just a class, but a lifelong journey seeking knowledge of a foundational art form of human existence. I wanted to continue this legacy by becoming a high school ceramics teacher as well. Now I am proud to say that I have continued to bring this amazing art form into the lives of many high school students, and they have passed it on

Tell us about your most memorable teaching experience

My most memorable teaching experience would most likely be on a trip to Chicago with art students. We spent half of a semester studying Maria Martinez, who was a legendary female Mexican potter. Her work really inspired the kids and we made work in similar style to hers. At the Art Institute of Chicago, we rounded a corner and to our surprise was an entire wing dedicated to Maria Martinez. The students were so stunned and overwhelmed, we must have spent at least 1.5 hours observing the artwork

What would you do with the $25,000?

With half of the money I would use to take my current ceramics students on a trip to New York to see the plethora of art works in the city. With the other half I would build a wood fire kiln on my property, so we can get out of the classroom and have students get real world ceramics experience. I was able to wood fire in high school and it inspired me to become a teacher in my own right.