Molding a New Teacher

Written by Olivia Throssell

“A good painting to me has always been like a friend. It keeps me company, comforts and inspires.” — Hedy Lamarr

Olmstead’s ceramic work. Photo courtesy of Ella Olmstead.

Art has been a long love for University of Hawaii at Hilo Senior Ella Olmstead. “I have always been drawn to art and although I was not always sure if I wanted to be an art major, I have never doubted my love for creating something out of nothing. It seriously feels like the best magic trick to be able to start off with a lump of clay and end with a mug or a vase.”

Like many other artists, Olmstead was not certain if art would be the right major to study in college, but thanks to ceramics classes and working at High Fire Hawaii, she knew art was her calling. For the senior, participating in the art program has assisted her with becoming much more comfortable with showcasing her pieces. Classes, especially beginning and intermediate drawing ones, as well as ones focusing on ceramics, have helped her learn where her strong point lies and where she can improve.

Olmstead feels the critiquing which happens in art classes has actually helped her gain confidence in her products as the criticism, being constructive, provides insight she can learn from.

After completing a ceramics class, the senior was certain art was what she wanted to do. She then interned at High Fire Hawaii, a Hilo ceramics store. The internship allowed her to realize her true passion: teaching art. “Working at High Fire Hawaii,” Olmstead stated, “has been a great experience. It has familiarized me with what it takes to run a personal business and it has given me the opportunity to teach ceramics and art to kids as well as adults. In turn, this has made me more assertive and … confident in my career objective: teaching art at elementary schools.”

While interning at High Fire Hawaii, Olmstead worked with different age groups as she taught them to create ceramic art. Interacting with children gave her a sense of what it is going to be like teaching elementary students, from trying to keep the them interested to disciplining and holding the class structure down. Similarly, it further showed the senior what she needs improve on to be a successful teacher.

In order to achieve her dream of teaching elementary students, Olmstead enrolled in the Introduction to Teaching class headed by Colby McNaughton. Due to the teaching skills McNaughton posses, the senior feels confident that she is traveling in the right direction.

“As an art major, I really want to refine my skills and develop my personal style as time goes on,” Olmstead explained. “Although most people major in what they plan to teach or do as a profession, I never planned for art to be my future profession. I plan to get my teaching certificate along with my BA in Fine Art and be a teacher and do art … [in] my spare time.”