Tom is an amazing instructor. The class that I took with him was a beginner class and he made everyone comfortable, no matter what prior experience they had with woodworking. His knowledge of his craft is inspiring and his passion for what he does is contagious. So much so that I invited him to speak to a group of 4th graders at a Career Day event! He has sparked my interest in woodworking, and I'll be taking more classes from him in the future.

I have had the pleasure of having Tom as my instructor in two classes at the Chicago School of Woodworking. Tom was the instructor in a basic woodworking class which I first attended to makeup for a missed class under another instructor. I was so impressed by Tom's teaching style and method that I completed the course under Tom's class schedule. Tom's teaching style creates a positive, encouraging environment that helps every student , no matter the level of experience, feel as if the class is custom-made just for him or her. As an amateur, beginning woodworker, the skills one needs to master to complete the course can be overwhelming and intimidating. Tom has the subject matter expertise, real-world experience, and pedagogical style to build a successful experience for every student. For example, when helping students learn the intricacies of hand-cutting dovetails, Tom helps each student understand the challenge, but also encourages the fun of the learning experience--he explains the importance of the practice of woodworking and "having fun." I was actually so impressed by Tom's teaching style that i decided to take the other class that he was offering during the next session, in addition to the next session of the introductory classes. These classes are comprised of a diverse group of students by age and sex. He related to each and everyone. He brings in stories from his work in design, art, and his own experiences with tools and techniques. He brings in speciality tools and items to help students learn about what works. In my career I have spent extensive time in education for older adults and younger students. Tom's technique and skills offer a very effective teaching method for a potentially intimidating subject. He is one of the best instructors I've had the pleasure of learning from in my post college career. I am looking forward to learning more from him and his teaching schedule.

Tom is an amazing instructor. The class that I took with him was a beginner class and he made everyone comfortable, no matter what prior experience they had with woodworking. His knowledge of his craft is inspiring and his passion for what he does is contagious. So much so that I invited him to speak to a group of 4th graders at a Career Day event! He has sparked my interest in woodworking, and I'll be taking more classes from him in the future.

I have had the pleasure of having Tom as my instructor in two classes at the Chicago School of Woodworking. Tom was the instructor in a basic woodworking class which I first attended to makeup for a missed class under another instructor. I was so impressed by Tom's teaching style and method that I completed the course under Tom's class schedule. Tom's teaching style creates a positive, encouraging environment that helps every student , no matter the level of experience, feel as if the class is custom-made just for him or her. As an amateur, beginning woodworker, the skills one needs to master to complete the course can be overwhelming and intimidating. Tom has the subject matter expertise, real-world experience, and pedagogical style to build a successful experience for every student. For example, when helping students learn the intricacies of hand-cutting dovetails, Tom helps each student understand the challenge, but also encourages the fun of the learning experience--he explains the importance of the practice of woodworking and "having fun." I was actually so impressed by Tom's teaching style that i decided to take the other class that he was offering during the next session, in addition to the next session of the introductory classes. These classes are comprised of a diverse group of students by age and sex. He related to each and everyone. He brings in stories from his work in design, art, and his own experiences with tools and techniques. He brings in speciality tools and items to help students learn about what works. In my career I have spent extensive time in education for older adults and younger students. Tom's technique and skills offer a very effective teaching method for a potentially intimidating subject. He is one of the best instructors I've had the pleasure of learning from in my post college career. I am looking forward to learning more from him and his teaching schedule.

Tom is an amazing instructor. The class that I took with him was a beginner class and he made everyone comfortable, no matter what prior experience they had with woodworking. His knowledge of his craft is inspiring and his passion for what he does is contagious. So much so that I invited him to speak to a group of 4th graders at a Career Day event! He has sparked my interest in woodworking, and I'll be taking more classes from him in the future.

I have had the pleasure of having Tom as my instructor in two classes at the Chicago School of Woodworking. Tom was the instructor in a basic woodworking class which I first attended to makeup for a missed class under another instructor. I was so impressed by Tom's teaching style and method that I completed the course under Tom's class schedule. Tom's teaching style creates a positive, encouraging environment that helps every student , no matter the level of experience, feel as if the class is custom-made just for him or her. As an amateur, beginning woodworker, the skills one needs to master to complete the course can be overwhelming and intimidating. Tom has the subject matter expertise, real-world experience, and pedagogical style to build a successful experience for every student. For example, when helping students learn the intricacies of hand-cutting dovetails, Tom helps each student understand the challenge, but also encourages the fun of the learning experience--he explains the importance of the practice of woodworking and "having fun." I was actually so impressed by Tom's teaching style that i decided to take the other class that he was offering during the next session, in addition to the next session of the introductory classes. These classes are comprised of a diverse group of students by age and sex. He related to each and everyone. He brings in stories from his work in design, art, and his own experiences with tools and techniques. He brings in speciality tools and items to help students learn about what works. In my career I have spent extensive time in education for older adults and younger students. Tom's technique and skills offer a very effective teaching method for a potentially intimidating subject. He is one of the best instructors I've had the pleasure of learning from in my post college career. I am looking forward to learning more from him and his teaching schedule.