John Beck received a BS in Art Education from Western Oregon University, completed a 5th year Art Education program at Portland State University, and received a MA in Education from Portland State University. He is a member of the Oregon Art Education Association as well as the National Art Education Association. He started his teaching career at Toledo High School (Oregon) in the fall of 1990, and taught through until 1996. He and his family moved to Dallas Oregon where he taught drawing, painting, pottery, and sculpture until he retired in the spring of 2016. John was called back to teach full time at Dallas High in the fall of 2021, and may be retiring again in the spring of 2024. He has continued to teach workshops, substitute, and an Integrated Arts section for a Masters program for Western Oregon University. He has taught both undergraduate and graduate art courses for prospective teachers and continuing ed. workshops and courses for teachers already in the field. John first came to Holden Village as a short term summer Potter in 1999 and has continued to volunteer to teach pottery, colored pencils, and watercolors over the years. It is his favorite place to teach and recharge.