Building Thriving Ceramics Programs: Practical Strategies, Creative Possibilities, and Real-World Classroom Insights
Includes a Live Web Event on 03/18/2026 at 7:00 PM (EDT)
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Register
- Non-member - $49
- Member - Free!
Building Thriving Ceramics Programs: Practical Strategies, Creative Possibilities, and Real-World Classroom Insights
Wednesday, March 18, 2026
FREE for NAEA members; $49 for nonmembers
Ceramics offers students a uniquely tactile and deeply engaging artmaking experience—yet building and sustaining a ceramics program can feel overwhelming, especially in schools with limited space, resources, or only one art teacher. This energizing webinar brings together experienced ceramics educators who will share practical, classroom-tested approaches for creating a vibrant and accessible ceramics program in any preK–12 setting.
Through real-world examples and adaptable strategies, presenters will demonstrate how to organize essential materials, set up safe and functional studio spaces, and make clay work meaningful and achievable for all learners. You’ll also hear how a ceramic artist in a small district built a robust ceramics program within general 9–12 art classes—offering candid insight into advocacy, funding, equipment selection, safety regulations, and navigating classroom space challenges.
Designed for educators at any stage, this webinar emphasizes how thoughtful planning, creative problem solving, and intentional curriculum design can spark joy for both teachers and students. You’ll leave with concrete techniques, resource recommendations, and ready-to-use approaches to strengthen your practice and support long-term program sustainability.
What You’ll Learn:
- Practical strategies for organizing supplies, materials, and studio workflows that make clay accessible to all learners.
- Techniques for establishing safe, developmentally appropriate routines for kiln use, clay handling, tool care, and classroom movement.
- Guidance for selecting kilns, clay bodies, glazes, and essential tools suited to various grade levels and school types.
- Approaches for advocating for ceramics instruction within your school or district, including navigating safety requirements and space limitations.
- Funding ideas—from grants to partnerships to creative low-cost solutions—that help launch or sustain a ceramics program.
- Adaptable project ideas and instructional strategies that nurture creativity, skill development, and student engagement across grade levels.
Sarah Horn
Visual Arts Instructor, Walton-Verona High School, Walton, KY
Sarah Horn earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Ceramics from the University of Cincinnati and a Master of Arts in Teaching from Northern Kentucky University. Sarah is also a National Board Certified Teacher in EAYA Visual Art. As an artist and educator, Sarah balances an active ceramic studio practice while teaching in a small, slightly rural school in northern Kentucky. Sarah is active on the Kentucky Art Education Association Board of Directors as the Public Relations Officer and currently serves as the NAEA Secondary Division Southeastern Region Director.
Christine Colby
Art Educator, Seabreeze High School, Daytona Beach, FL
Christine Colby is a sculpture and ceramics teacher in Daytona Beach, Florida. She teaches all levels of 3D Art and ceramics to six classes a day. Christine earned her Bachelor of Fine Art from the University of South Florida and her Master of Fine Arts in Ceramics from the University of the Arts in Philadelphia. She is responsible for direct instruction, firing kilns, ordering supplies, grading artworks, and helping students enter artworks into multiple competitions through the year.
Upon completion of this NAEA webinar, you may earn 1 hour of professional development credit as designated by NAEA. Once the webinar is completed, you may view/print a Certification of Participation under the "Contents" tab. You may also print a transcript of all webinars attended under the "Dashboard" link in the right sidebar section of the page.
Clock hours provided upon completion of any NAEA professional learning program are granted for participation in an organized professional learning experience under responsible sponsorship, capable direction and qualified instruction, and can be used toward continuing education credit in most states. It is the responsibility of the participant to verify acceptance by professional governing authorities in their area.
