Teachers. . .your input needed. . .

[christopher]

Hey everyone,

I know that as well as great artists, we have a lot of great teachers here. Those of you who teach professionally (not necessarily full time, but professionally - M&M, N8, Robert M, Mark Lammi, and all the other amazing instructors that we're so fortunate to have hang out on this board:

When, if ever, will you travel to teach? I know EGS has an amazing line of instructors and artist supporters. . .

What makes the difference to you? Class size? Shop quality? Location you're traveling to? All expenses paid? Non-profit school versus for-profit business?
Honorarium?

All input is greatly appreciated.

[Cosmo]

I'll travel to where ever will have me. I just recently went 6 hours north to Reading, PA to teach a class, and I'm working on scheduling a class in KC. I really enjoy teaching, and in fact I'm actively searching out places to teach classes at.

As far as what I look for, I like to have at least 4 students, but that's not a requirement. I charge a flat fee for a class, so whether there are 10 students or 1 student, I get the same amount of money. I do ask that if I stay over night, the facility give me a place to stay. Doesn't have to be a four star hotel; just something clean and safe. If I have to fly somewhere, I ask them to help with that too.

I will add, however, that I don't do this for a living. I have a 9-5 job, and glass is my hobby (although these days it seems I spend more time on glass than I do at my regular job...).

[Kool]

Hmmm....christopher was asking questions about the ideal glass shop...now about ideal situations for classes....I think someone is kicking around the idea of opening up some kind of facility :)

[themoch]

yeah.....

..... an ideal facility......





















<<shifty eyes>>










.

[christopher]

What would give you that idea? No, I'm just a student, and this is a good place to do research for school projects.;)

[christopher]

Come on guys, I need an 'A' on this one. . .

[prairieson]

Tink and I are full time glass artists, and traveling/teaching is a large part of our business. Now keeping in ming that our classes are a small collection of one day "a la carte" sessions that we offer in 3 or 4 day "blocks", these are some of the things we look for in a venue...

A properly equipped teaching studio to handle from 5 to 12 students, and preferable one with an established track record for hosting classes. This in no way means we expect state-of-the-art or "new and shiny", in fact we prefer lived-in and functional; however the "Spanky, Alfalfa and the gang hanging the sheet up in the backyard and putting on a show" kind of venue often winds up not working out as well as hoped... for anyone involved.

We look at our teaching gigs as a relationship between us, our students, and the hosting studio, so we have expectations for our classes... first that our students feel that they've learned something, have gotten they're money's worth, and have had an enjoyable experience. Also that they want to take another class from us, and take other classes from the hosting studio as well. Secondly that the hosting studio gets it money's worth from us and that they would like to host us again. And finally that we do everything we can to make the first and second things happen. Oh yeah, and make a little money as well.

Everything in this paragraph is a broad generalization, it really depends on the venue. We usually require airfare/mileage and lodging (using pretty much the exact words Cosmo used above), and we provide our own meals and local ground transportation. We usually charge a per-student teaching fee. Any tools which are peculiar to the techniques that we teach, we provide for the duration of the classes.

Location has little bearing on whether we'll teach, in fact we're going international next year with our May gig in Ireland. We teach at both non and for profit studios. Sometimes we throw in an evening demo or presentation if a club or organization is involved.

Sorry, I didn't intend to write a dissertation, but my passion for teaching is at least a great as my passion for glass.

[Mac Maestro]

I prefer to do one-on-one apprenticeships in my studio for three months straight. But I guess that's not what we are talking about here...

[christopher]

I prefer to do one-on-one apprenticeships in my studio for three months straight. But I guess that's not what we are talking about here...

No, that's cool. . .if there are a lot of people with the view that a 'teaching venue' couldn't work out and I don't include that as a possible threat to a business, my instructor will work me when the grade comes. . .business classes. . .and this guy is of this mindframe (actual quote, as close as I can remember it): "I started a company that had something to do with launching sattelites into orbit and legislation was about to be passed that would have had negative effects on our venture. So I got an appointment with Senator Ted Kennedy, went in and told him my story, and he amended that part of the legislation to be worded more clearly so as not to affect us." Now, keep in mind that he's telling this to us as a "you can do anything you need to (legally and ethically, of course. . .) to defend your business against ALL type of threats" speech, but it also happens that this instructor's brother is a congressman. Classroom business theory is weird. Whoa, I just looked at that paragraph, it's kind of a ramble. . .