WAB Podcast | From Artist to Student to Teacher, An ES–MS Art Collaboration 

This week on the WAB Podcast, Grade 8 artists swap stools for teacher roles as they bring clay, tools, and lesson plans into Grade 3 and ECC classrooms. 

It began in Grade 8 Visual Arts. As part of their unit exploring visual culture and mythical creatures, Middle School students were invited to look inward, drawing inspiration from their own cultural backgrounds to design and sculpt original clay creatures.  

Early in the unit, students worked alongside visiting ceramic artist Ms. Xu Wei who demonstrated her contemporary approach to Chinese ceramics. Watching a professional artist at work and then applying those techniques independently gave students both skills and confidence. As Grade 8 student Ayann shared on the podcast, “She knew exactly how to do things… and we could use those techniques on our own art.” 

That experience didn’t end in the Middle School classroom. Grade 8 students began planning workshops for Grade 3 and ECC students, not simply to demonstrate clay techniques, but to share their cultural inspirations and guide younger learners through the creative process.  

When the day arrived, Middle School students entered Elementary classrooms with lesson plans, clay tools, and a mix of excitement and responsibility. They had to think differently now: breaking down complex techniques into age-appropriate steps, pacing the lesson, and adjusting when needed. “I think it taught me how to be more patient,” Ayann reflected. “You have to make sure the ES students understand and not just do it for them.” 

In Grade 3, students responded with openness and curiosity. Grade 3 student Davi described the experience as surprisingly natural: being taught by older students felt “almost the same” as being taught by a teacher, just a different version.  

The clay pieces themselves told stories of connection. Ayann’s mythical elephant blended influences from Ivory Coast, Togo, Japan, and Greece, a reflection of layered cultural identity transformed into sculpture. Davi is already imagining his own future mythical creature inspired by his home countries Germany, Brazil, and Croatia. 

ES Art Teacher Mr. Bruno described it as inspiring: seeing students learn from one another in ways adults cannot always replicate. MS Art Teacher Mr. Baishan spoke about adaptability: watching students refine ideas, adjust plans, and respond thoughtfully to younger learners.  

Through this art collaboration, MS students’ skills deepened through teaching, as did ES students from learning from their peers. Confidence grew through collaboration and our community was strengthened through shared creativity. We look forward to celebrating their work at the upcoming exhibition during the Middle School Parent-Student-Teacher Conferences.