For the past 20 years, every time you step into the pottery room at Boulder High School, you are not only met with the slight smell of dust and the sight of beautiful art, but you will be met with a loving smile from Ms. Villareal. Throughout her time at Boulder High, she has completely transformed what pottery means to students and the school. Our program is forever changed for the better. With her dedication to being an amazing pottery teacher and to taking care of each student, she will be greatly missed. 

As one of the students who was lucky enough to be in a classroom with Ms. Villareal teaching, I have many fond memories, and similar to myself, Ms. Villareal is eager to share and  shares stories that are equal parts hilarious and heartfelt. “In my first year, I actually lost a blind student on a field trip…TOTAL panic, I was sure I’d be fired. I also managed to set off the fire alarms one year doing RAKU firing- the fire trucks came and everything. The truest, bestest memories, however, are the ones about the students- like the student who took pottery EVERY SEMESTER of her 4 years, or the two students who met in the first week of Pottery class and stayed together years after highschool (maybe they’re married now?) the many awards students have received for their magnificent artwork, and students who come back after graduation to tell me things they remembered from taking Pottery.” Although some of us may see pottery class as simply a class that we all take in high school, one of the most beautiful things is moments like these that show that there is so much more to the class and Ms. Villareal than just clay. 

Similarly, Ms. Villareal can think of a specific favorite piece that a student makes. However, there is a story behind one of her favorite requests for a piece that a student asked of her, “I had a student that wanted to create a piece SO BIG that it would take up the entire cubic feet. ‘Would you fire it?’ he asked. ‘Why yes, of course!’ I replied. The piece was not built strong enough, and collapsed in the kiln, maring the brand new bricks. Though saddened that the new kiln was now damaged, I look at it as a reminder of the extraordinary value of education, taking risks, trying new things, grand successes, and reflections of things that didn’t go so well but made you a smarter human”. Once again, Ms. Villareal shows us that pottery is not about how good our pottery is, or our art skills in general, but the memories and lessons that we take from it. This is one of her lasting impacts on every student she teaches. She is not looking for perfection, she is looking for creativity.

Although it can sometimes be difficult to see the actual importance and relevance of ceramics in everyday life, Ms. Villareal reminds us that “Its impact on our lives runs the gamut from the simplest pinch pot to industrial ceramics that you’ll find in your bathroom—ceramics are made into a wide range of industrial products, from common floor tile to nuclear fuel pellets. I truly believe that using handmade pottery enriches your daily life.”

While Ms. Villareal will be leaving Boulder High School at the end of this year, similar to ceramics, her legacy will hold the test of time, and so will the soul that she put into the job. Finally, for future Boulder High pottery teachers, here are some words of wisdom from the master:  “Enjoy every minute! From exploring/making work alongside students, asking them to take some risks with their ideas, to wearing a dust mask when need be. Remember: ‘Clay ain’t dirt!’”