Thursday, September 2, 2010

Teaching Clay Class

Teaching out of my studio is proving to be the best thing I have done in years for a teaching gig.  I often tend to be withdrawn and private retreating into my creative ideas as they work themselves out.  Deciding to open my studio to others was not an easy decision for me.

Actually, this bearish economy  made the decision  for me as we do need to pay our bills.  Wether I have 2 students or 40 students in a class, I walk away with my little bit of income from the class which is dependant on an hourly teaching rate as I have always been hired on a part time basis.  When teaching at an art center or college the class of course gets cancelled with only 2 students and this has been happening often as people are not signing up for art classes like they use to.  Well guess what, If I have two students coming to my studio I don't need to cancel.  Thus, I am able to offer smaller classes and make a better hourly rate with just a third student in the class.  The smaller classes have been fabulous for numerous obvious and not so obvious reasons.  These reasons might make it onto another blog post.

Part time teaching is financially quite difficult as the cost of living in the United States is very high.  Part time work often means minimal benefits if any and definitely no health benefits.  The educational system would crumble without part-time or adjunct faculty.

The students are stopping by tonight to pick up the many wonderful objects they made.  The kiln is still cooling but I should be able to see inside in a few hours.  Such anticipation!  I choose these drinking cups to post today as the students have encouraged me to make several new cups for the studio. 

Concept to Creation
Theresa Yondo
Keep Making Pots!

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