WCA EDU Members to Present Five Sessions of AWFS Fair Teacher Track

Patrick Molzahn, the first person to earn a Diamond woodworking credential, from the Woodwork Career Alliance, will kick off the Teachers Track education sessions at the AWFS Fair.

Woodworking instructors affiliated with Woodwork Career Alliance of North America institutions will share their knowledge and expertise in five of the seven education sessions slated for the Teacher Track at the AWFS Fair in Las Vegas.

The Teacher Track’s sessions cover a variety of topics including woodworking techniques, safety, and curriculum development.

Here’s a quick look at the Teacher Track schedule. (WCA-led session titles are bold faced.)

1:30 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. Tuesday, July 25
How to Keep Your Keester Out of Court (and Other Tips from a Veteran Educator)
Patrick Molzahn, long-time former director of the Madison College Cabinetmaking & Millwork program, and founding member of the WCA Board of Directors, will reflect on experiences he’s had in his 25 years of teaching. The focus will be on how to create and maintain a safe learning environment. Molzahn will also cover numerous resources teachers can access, including benefits available to WCA EDUcation members.

3:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m., Tuesday, July 25
Marketing Your Program — Are You Getting Anyone’s Attention?
Mark Smith, woodworking instructor of Reed-Custer High School, a WCA EDUcation member, will explain why and how woodworking teachers should market their programs. His presentation will cover how promotions can facilitate program supporters, industry partners, internship opportunities, career exploration, technical support, field trips and more.

9:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, July 26
Shop Safety in Education
Reuben Foat of the Cerritos College Wood Manufacturing Department, a WCA EDUcation member, will discuss how to keep students safe and enhance their classroom safety instruction.

11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Wednesday, July 26
Teacher Project Swap
Jordan Clarke of Palamar College will facilitate a discussion among peers aimed at sharing ideas for inspiring student projects.

9:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. Thursday, July 27
Building Trades into Education: Bridging the Skills Gap Through Collaboration
Molly Turner and Peter Lutz are two of three WCA EDUcation woodworking instructors that are part of a unique multi school district collaborative in Southwest Colorado. They will discuss how their partnership has led to innovative projects, improved student outcomes, and increased visibility for their respective programs.

1:30 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Teaching and Evaluating the Wood Industry’s Skill Standards
Greg Larson, vice president of the WCA, will discuss how schools can implement the WCA Passport credentialing system. His presentation will how to incorporate the WCA Skill Standards into a woodshop program’s curriculum and practical methods to evaluate students’ skills.

1:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Thursday, July 27
Teacher CNC Training Workshop
Christian Correa, John Kelly, and Wesley Crawford will present a crash course on how to introduce CAD and CNC machining to students in their woodshop programs.

Learn more about the AWFS Fair College of Woodworking Knowledge.