Guide middle schoolers through the transformation from "I can't make anything" to "Look what I created!" Teach handbuilding, wheel throwing, glazing, and kiln techniques while fostering creative confidence through three-dimensional art.
Why Teach Ceramics at GAK?
Forget the pottery scene from Ghost—this is where middle schoolers learn that clay fights back, kilns are basically magic ovens, and their wonky first bowl is actually a masterpiece. At Gabriel's Art Kids, we believe every student has a sculptor inside, waiting to emerge through pinch pots, coil builds, and the occasional clay-throwing disaster (the good kind).
We know the power of three-dimensional creativity. Now we need someone who can guide middle schoolers through the transformation from "I can't make anything" to "Look what I created!"
Who This Role Is For:
You're our clay whisperer if you:
Get genuinely excited when a student's "failed" piece becomes their favorite accident
Can explain why kilns aren't just "really hot ovens" with infectious enthusiasm
See teaching moments in every collapsed wall and cracked glaze
Have the patience of a saint when someone inevitably asks "Is it ready yet?" every five minutes
Know that middle schoolers are creative powerhouses disguised as eye-rolling skeptics
Can drive a 15-passenger van while discussing whether aliens would make pottery
Believe the best studio is one where everyone's covered in clay dust
This isn't for you if:
You need perfect silence while creating
Mess makes you anxious (clay gets EVERYWHERE)
You prefer students who already know what they're doing
Middle school energy exhausts rather than energizes you
You think there's only one "right" way to handbuild
Driving a van full of excited pre-teens sounds terrifying
You can't handle 47 variations of "When do we get to use the wheel?"
The Role:
You'll be equal parts teaching artist, and creative mentor. This is an independent role where you'll transform your students into ceramic artists, and send them home with art their parents will display forever (even the lumpy stuff).
Your Daily Studio Life:
Creative Independence:
Design curricula for beginners, intermediate, and open studio formats
Build 4, 6, and 8-week sessions that keep students coming back
Create projects that balance technique with creative expression
Manage your classroom kingdom with confidence and creativity
Middle School Magic:
Decode middle school emotions through clay work
Channel chaotic energy into focused creation
Celebrate the beauty in "weird" artistic choices
Build confidence one pinch pot at a time
Create a studio culture where mistakes are just "design features"
Technical Teaching:
Guide students through handbuilding, wheel throwing (if applicable), and glazing
Teach kiln safety without inducing kiln fear
Explain why patience isn't optional in ceramics
Balance technical instruction with creative freedom
Requirements:
Must-Haves:
Working artist with legitimate ceramics/sculpture chops
Experience teaching this age group (or unshakeable confidence you can)
Valid driver's license with spotless record (we mean it)
21+ years old (for insurance and van driving)
First Aid/CPR certification (or get it within 30 days)
Clear background check and driving record check
Available 2:30-6:30 PM weekdays (non-negotiable)
Physical ability to load kilns, manage materials, and supervise active kids
Bonus Points For:
BFA or BA in Fine Arts, Ceramics, or Art Education
Experience with kiln maintenance and studio management
Portfolio of student work from previous teaching
Knowledge of both handbuilding AND wheel throwing
Ability to incorporate art history without boring anyone
Experience managing independent studio programs
What Makes This Special:
Freedom to Create: You'll develop your own curriculum, manage your own classroom, and shape the program's ceramic identity. We trust our teachers to know what works.
The Perfect Part-Time Gig: Afternoons only means mornings for your own art practice. Many of our teachers are working artists who've found their perfect balance here.
Real Impact: Watch skeptical 11-year-olds discover they're actually artists. See quiet kids find their voice through clay. Witness the pride when someone's first successful bowl comes out of the kiln.
The GAK Difference:
We're not teaching future production potters (though some might become that). We're using clay as a medium for:
Building confidence through dimensional thinking
Learning that failure is just information
Discovering that art can be functional AND beautiful
Understanding that some things can't be rushed
Finding meditation in repetitive handbuilding
Studio Perks:
Access to well-equipped ceramic studio
Budget for materials and special projects
Support from leadership that understands art education
Community of teaching artists who share ideas
The joy of never having to explain why art matters
Ready to Get Your Hands Dirty?
If you're ready to guide middle schoolers through the magic of turning mud into art, we want to meet you.
Apply at gabrielsartkids.com/hiring
Gabriel's Art Kids: Where we educate, entertain, inspire, and create—one pinch pot at a time!
Note: This position requires punctual afternoon availability and the ability to work independently. You'll be the sole adult during initial class time, so confidence in managing groups independently is essential.
We encourage applications from ceramic artists of all backgrounds who can bring diverse techniques and cultural perspectives to clay work. Show us your portfolio—we want to see both your art and your teaching style!
