Matteo Bon Tempo, Teacher

“My name is Matteo and I have worked in education for twelve years. Most of that time was spent at the high school level, but the shift to teaching at BOPN represents a return to my roots.”

As I am sure is the case for many, my first experiences looking after and teaching children were at home. I have five siblings, and my mother was a parent-educator who ran playgroups for parents with toddlers. She would take me with her to work, where I saw her teach skills to the parents that I would turn around and use while looking after my younger siblings.

My father, a teacher himself, insisted I earn my Eagle Scout Badge, and fostered in me a love of learning about the natural world.

I began working with young children in a professional setting while in high school—as a swim instructor and camp counselor at different town programs and camps. During this time I was often asked to cover for a music teacher at the preschool, or one of the teachers in the high school daycare.

Throughout college, I held various counselor and instructor positions, and began working in secondary education once I graduated.

At BOPN I wish to bring the totality of my experiences in both the classroom and the great outdoors to nurture a sense of wonder, compassion, and respect in my students—not just for nature, but also each other.