Maggie Jones (they/she) has taught the youth After-School Clay class at Clayworks since 2019. As an artist themself, Maggie prioritizes creating an environment where students can freely experiment, fail, and find ways to express their unique creative voice. Maggie supports each student’s ideas by structuring class around open ended projects and offers individualized support throughout the process. They plan lessons using a range of themes that focus on developing skills and relationships with new tools and materials. Their class often takes time to sketch, experiment with new methods of making, collaborate, discuss the ceramic process, and engage in conversation about their artwork through show and tell based critiques. Maggie works to foster an environment where each individual is respected and valued. They have witnessed first hand the way art-making brings people together and they take great delight in facilitating artistic integrity and community with young creatives. Maggie graduated from Maryland Institute College of art in 2022 and is currently pursuing their own ceramic practice.