MODELING FLEXIBILITY: CHARLIE TEFFT '97

The pandemic prompted Charlie Tefft ‘97 to make a change in the structure of his introductory ceramics class that he has taught at Guilford since 1999. The change also spurred increased engagement with students, helping to create more proficient potters.

In the class, students learn how to use the potter’s wheel and make functional pots. “The focus is on seeing form and shape and thinking about ergonomics in the way that our bodies interact with something,” Charlie says. “We make a lot of smaller items like cups and mugs — objects that are intimate in the way we interact with them — and talk about how to make something that is gratifying.”

Charlie describes himself as a potter who creates unique and functional pots, which he paints with images of animals that he has had experiences with or encountered in North Carolina.

To allow for more physical distancing this fall semester, Charlie divided the course into two groups, each as a twohour session. Students receive more oneon-one attention and guidance with this format than in larger and longer classes.

Learning to use the potter’s wheel is exciting, but Charlie admits that things can go wrong fairly quickly. “When someone is beginning to learn how to use the potter’s wheel, a simple hand movement in the wrong direction can potentially crush the piece,” Charlie says. “So with this arrangement I’m able to get to every student and give them more attention and reinforcement.”

Although the new structure requires additional time, Charlie says that his students are learning and progressing faster with this change. “I’m able to see art with every student right there and to talk to them about that.”

Ultimately, modeling flexibility in his classroom was important to Charlie. “I focus on being open to what happens instead of feeling like I have to control everything all the time.” — B. Schuh