I have never been in a position to teach things to others or be someone of knowledge to a person who is interested in what I am doing. That changed when I started my second year of ceramics. For the first time, people were asking me questions, wanting to learn from what I was doing, and that felt really new to me. It helped me figure out better ways to talk and connect with the people around me. It’s made me more comfortable sharing ideas, giving tips, and working together with others in a way that feels natural. I’ve learned how to explain techniques, offer constructive feedback, and listen more closely to others. This has made me a more confident and effective communicator, and it's helped me build stronger, more supportive relationships with my peers.
Years ago, nobody would be very interested in what I was doing or how I was doing it. I have always been on a more independent path than others seemed to be and did not often share what I was doing either. I liked the solidarity of doing so and kept it that way for a while. Being in high school exposed me to more like minded individuals who showed an interest in the things I was doing. I was able to (for lack of a better word) come out of my shell. Seeing people being interested in what I was doing helped me further grow in a social way as it allowed me to have more conversations with people I didn't really know. It also introduced me to other people's work; and being able to ask questions of my own while communicating what I was thinking.
I built a strong connection with a lot of people inside of my ceramics class which I never would have thought to talk to. We would work together on various things such as ideas for pieces, class jobs and input on what we were doing.
With the knowledge I’ve gained from previous years in the class, I have been able to teach new students the basics of ceramics, including foundational techniques like wedging and centering clay to the more detailed skills such as trimming and glazing. I like to watch how different people go about the process. Helping my peers work through the struggles in the same way I once did exemplifies how far I have come as not only a ceramic student, but as an individual who is able to communicate with the people around me. It has taught me patience and the value of connection with others.
