Jason Rohde is an art teacher at the high school. Rohde has been teaching for about 24 years, and he has taught at the high school for 5 years. At the same time, he has been running a ceramics shop for 7 years with his family in his small town of Woodville, Wis.
“I like it because I can kind of share my passion with students that I have for ceramics, for clay,” Rohde said about teaching pottery. He inspires students to create unique and abstract pieces beyond the usual designs. When asked about his business, he said, “It’s doing really well. We’ve been growing and getting a larger profit every year since we’ve operated this last year was probably, I’d say, like a 20% higher profit than we did last year,” Rohde said.
Senior Jillian Haskins expressed her love for creating things in Rohde’s pottery class. “I like the freedom of it. He really just lets you do whatever you want as long as it fits inside of the project’s guidelines,” Haskins said. She likes the flexibility and creativity encouraged in his class.
Assistant Principal Shelly Phernetton has some love for the pottery farm.
She appreciates the personalized touches in his creations. Phernetton has visited Rohde Pottery Farm and describes the experience as “peaceful and beautiful,” with a scenic drive and a great atmosphere.
Rohde Pottery Farm, located on a 35-acre plot in Wisconsin, was a dream that Rohde and his wife turned into reality. “We had a similar dream and goal of our own pottery shop and business,” Rohde said. The unique pieces have gained a loyal customer base, with many students and staff members frequently being at the farm. “Every time I go there, I see somebody I know,” Phernetton said.
The Pottery Farm is a local success attracting visitors with unique pottery and seasonal diverse food trucks. His dedication to his craft reflects in both his business and those he teaches.
