For 25 years, Seattle Prep’s very own Mrs. Grevel has been molding young artists through her pottery classes. Known for her expert craftsmanship and unconventional teaching style, Mrs. Grevel has inspired generations of students to embrace the art of ceramics. But there’s one thing that sets her apart from other faculty members: she hasn’t spoken to a student in over 20 years.
“I have loved pottery since I was a little girl, and becoming a pottery teacher is a dream come true,” Mrs. Grevel shared through a carefully crafted series of hand gestures and interpretive eyebrow movements. Her passion for pottery has been unwavering since day one, and she hopes to instill that same enthusiasm in her students, silently, of course.
Mrs. Grevel’s unique communication style stems from an infamous 2004 incident, now referred to by veteran faculty as “The Spin Cycle.” According to reports, a particularly small freshman was accidentally placed on her pottery wheel and spun at high speeds in what she later described as a “misguided yet well-intentioned teaching moment.” The student, though unharmed, was quoted as saying, “She was trying to show us how much weight the wheel could take, but then just started to spin me.”
Following the incident, school administrators determined that the best course of action was a complete ban on Mrs. Grevel speaking directly to students. However, she has taken the adjustments well. “Teaching pottery without words isn’t as hard as people think,” she conveyed via a strategically raised eyebrow and through a series of carefully placed pots. “Plus, no lectures means no one ever gets JUG from me.”
Despite her silence, students appreciate her class as a much-needed break in their schedules. “Honestly, it’s the perfect time to decompress,” one sophomore, Taylor Lee ‘27 shared. “And since she can’t talk, she also can’t assign homework. So, it’s a win-win.”
Mrs. Grevel remains dedicated to her craft and continues to inspire students in new and unorthodox ways. Her sophomore classes even incorporate pottery styles from their assigned Model UN countries, merging art with global studies. “Last week, I think we were making Japanese Raku bowls… or maybe Greek amphoras? Hard to tell. She just pointed at a map and then at the clay” shared Lee.
As for the freshman, Milton Sherman ‘08 who started it all? Sources say he went on to join the Prep track team, citing an uncanny ability to “handle a high-speed environment.”
