Hello! I’m Maria Gatto. I was born in Monroe, N.C., but spent most of my childhood living in Murrells Inlet, S.C. Two years ago, my husband, Matt, and I moved to the Upstate from New Orleans, La. I discovered my love/talent for art in high school and studied Studio Art at Converse College, where I earned a Bachelor of Arts degree. While this will be my first year teaching at Woodmont High, it will be my ninth year teaching art. Throughout my career, I have taught art across all grade levels, K3-12th grade, and in Louisiana, I taught art at the high school level (including Art I, II, III, IV, and Advanced Placement classes). I have an affinity for all things art, but I tend to gravitate towards painting. I believe self-expression through the visual arts is one of the highest forms of communication. As a teacher, I want to help students learn more about themselves and life through the visual arts. Some fun facts about me: In my spare time, I love to cook, go hiking, travel, paint (of course), watch baseball (Go Astros!), and spoil my two Aussiedoodle dogs, Bayley and Ben!