A potted tip
Check what your students have done before – you might be amazed one way or another
My beautiful, talented wife and business partner (Cary) recently decided that she wanted to do some pottery. She chose to attend an adult training class in a nearby town for two reasons;
- So she could spend a couple of hours each week with her best friend who also signed-up for the course.
- She likes pottery but doesn’t currently have the facilities or materials at home that the class could provide.
Sea Horse
She’s been attending the class for several weeks. It’s given by a very enthusiastic young woman who is currently studying for an NVQ Level 3 qualification in pottery or some such related topic. However, Cary’s now decided to stop attending classes, for three reasons;
- It’s all getting a bit expensive. In fact, it would be cheaper to buy the materials she needs, create lots of pots at home, and hire kiln space herself.
- She can no-longer see her friend at class as she’s changed her nursing job and now works on the Tuesday of the class. Apparently there isn’t space on the Monday class for the two of them.
- Cary’s getting a bit fed-up that the potter running the class is constantly amazed by her creations.
You see, Cary has a 1st class honours degree in Fine Art and specialised in pottery and ceramics. But her tutor has never even asked if and what [type of pottery or art] she’s done before. Our home is full of paintings and pots that she’s created; little Plasticine figure balance on the top of our iMAC, and a giant wire sea-horse in the front garden sways in the wind and baffles the neighbours.
So here’s my tip to trainers. ASK. It breaks the ice, exposes any ‘Smart Alec’, and could provide you with someone to help move your class forward. If you don’t, you might just be amazed by what your class produces.
