Adult Pottery Instructor

Madison School & Community Recreation; Madison (WI); On-site; USD 25,000 - 51,000; Part time

Job summary

Madison School & Community Recreation (MSCR) is seeking a pottery instructor for adult wheel classes at the MSCR West studio. You will guide participants in centering clay, throwing cylinders, cups and bowls, and finishing pieces on the wheel.

Classes run Thursday mornings with a 4-hour weekly commitment. Start date is 1/4/2027, and pay ranges $18–$37 per hour. Prior teaching experience and ceramic skills are required.

Qualifications

• Proficiency in ceramics including throwing, trimming, glazing and firing.
• Experience teaching adults is preferred.
• Demonstrate proper use and maintenance of ceramics equipment and tools.
• Maintain a clean and safe classroom following safety guidelines.

Responsibilities

• Teach 8 adults pottery basics, centering and wheel throwing with clear instruction.
• Provide demonstrations throughout each class.
• Offer individual feedback and assistance to students.
• Guide learners through the full pottery process from start to finish.
• Stay on the studio firing schedule to support the pottery coordinator.
• Manage class time, balancing demonstration, practice and cleanup.

Skills

Pottery throwing

Ceramics techniques

Adult education

Classroom management

Demonstrations

Tools

Ceramics equipment

Job description

Madison School & Community Recreation (MSCR) is Madison’s public recreation provider. MSCR offers a wide variety of athletic, recreational, arts and enrichment activities and classes for all ages in an accessible, inclusive setting. Programs include swimming instruction, MSCR on the Move, arts & enrichment classes, youth summer camps, sports camps & clinics, adult & 50+ fitness, adult sport leagues including pickleball, softball and tennis, and a wide variety of outdoor pursuits including paddling sports, pontoon trips, camping, orienteering and challenge courses.
As a department of the Madison Metropolitan School District (MMSD), MSCR also provides afterschool enrichment activities, clubs and sports as well as summer programming in Madison elementary, middle and high schools, Allied Learning Center and Meadowood Neighborhood Center. Afterschool clubs and sports include: arts & enrichment, homework/academic clubs, drama, dance, skiing, soccer, basketball, volleyball, cross country and much more!

Program Description

MSCR Adult Arts is seeking a pottery instructor to teach beginning wheel classes to adults at the MSCR West pottery studio. Help participants discover the joy of working with clay and develop fundamental skills on the potter’s wheel! Teach participants how to center clay and throw simple shapes like cylinders, cups and bowls.

Job Description & Duties

Instructor is responsible for:

• Teaching 8 adult participants pottery basics in an approachable and engaging way: how to center, throw small pieces on the wheel, and trim their work
• Give clear and thoughtful demonstrations throughout class
• Give feedback and assistance to participants individually
• Understanding and teaching the process of creating thrown pottery from start to finish
• Stay on the studio’s firing schedule to support the pottery coordinator
• Manage class time effectively by balancing demonstrations, giving ample practice time, and saving time to clean up the studio before class ends

Start Date

1/4/2027

Work Location

MSCR West

Hours/week

4

Work hours

Thursday Mornings, 10 AM - 12:30 PM, 1/14/2027 - 3/11/2027, 4/8/2027 - 5/27/2027

Payrate

18.00 - 37.00 per hour

Minimum Qualifications

• Must be able to teach Thursday morning classes from 10 AM - 12:30 PM, 1/14/2027 - 3/11/2027 and 4/8/2027 - 5/27/2027, with the ability to continue teaching Thursday mornings after the Winter/Spring 2027 session.
• Proficiency in various ceramic techniques and processes, including throwing, trimming, glazing and firing.
• Previous experience teaching adults
• Demonstrate proper use and maintenance of ceramics equipment and tools.
• Maintain a clean and safe classroom environment, adhering to safety guidelines.

Preferred Qualifications

• Previous teaching experience in a similar role.
• Patience and ability to encourage new students.
• Demonstrated mastery of ceramics processes, including the ability to throw various large and small forms on the potter’s wheel, understanding proper construction, applying proper attachments, and careful drying methods to minimize loss of student work.
• Patience and willingness to teach a diverse group of adults with varying abilities
• Excellent communication skills to work with the team of instructors and pottery coordinator at the studio.
• Ability to manage a classroom and maintain a positive learning environment.

Other Information

For more information, please contact Andie Kobrick at [e-mail]

is a department of the Madison Metropolitan School District.