Student Work
Teaching Philosophy
I am dedicated to encouraging curiosity, deepening individual exploration, and forming a community. I create an enjoyable but challenging and collaborative environment where students learn both time-honored and modern ceramic techniques while practicing experimentation and self-expression in the studio. I appreciate students’ unique perspectives and diverse backgrounds, and I welcome their points of view and prior experiences into my teaching. Beyond learning about ceramic building and firing techniques, students leave my class understanding the history and current trajectory of ceramic art and an appreciation of art as a tool for cultural and personal communication.
The classroom is a place where students can explore and challenge their imagination and skills by taking risks, seizing opportunities, and learning about their potential as emerging artists and scholars. I strive to establish a safe studio that promotes autonomy, thoughtful risk-taking, reciprocal learning, and open communication. I consistently reflect on activities, exercises, and ways to build a supportive learning community and also make sure I work one-on-one with students.
I also believe in technical and prescriptive knowledge: skills are important, and I think students want and expect to learn hand-craft. Therefore, I allocate time to practicing techniques without expecting a perfect product. My goal for each student is that they produce art that is technically and conceptually considered, and that their work is informed by their process and curiosity.
Student participation is very important and can turn daily lectures into meaningful discussions. The dynamics of each class will be different in dictating the direction and tone of the class, and so being flexible in instruction and approach and knowing that each student will start at a different stage is essential. I leave room for student-initiated dialogue, especially in this ever-changing current sociopolitical climate. Furthermore, it is important that students learn how to critique, so I have them practice active listening, and I incorporate writing into assignments to help them articulate their ideas.
My hopes are for each class to be challenging, thought-provoking, encouraging, and rewarding. The classroom is a place where students take the adventuresome risks that will allow them to reach their full potential.