meet the instructors

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Gary is a dedicated educator in higher education with over 15 years of experience. Beyond academia, he is a passionate maker, specializing in fine woodworking, model building, prototype fabrication, and hobby machinist. While his primary focus is woodworking, Gary is also knowledgeable about various materials and manufacturing processes. This diverse skill set enables him to tackle general home renovation projects effectively. His hobbies often revolve around creating tabletop goods, figurines, and wooden toys, reflecting his commitment to craftsmanship and continuous learning.

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Maggie is a designer with experience in woodworking and upholstery. As they learn new skills, they love getting to share them with others through teaching. Maggie is excited to continue working with students to spark excitement in new ways and to empower them to feel comfortable as makers.

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Emma is a sculptor, furniture maker, and woodcarver with a deep passion for craftsmanship and material exploration. She studied woodworking at the Center for Furniture Craftsmanship in Maine and earned an MFA in Sculpture from the University of Texas at Austin. With experience spanning fine furniture making, sculpture, and hand carving, Emma brings a unique blend of traditional woodworking techniques and contemporary design to her practice.

Emma previously worked as a furniture maker for Yucca Stuff in Austin, where she honed her fabrication skills. Now based in Chicago, she is developing Modern Witch Home, a collection of intricately carved home accessories and furniture that merges function with a sense of magic. Her work emphasizes precision, material sensitivity, and the tactile nature of wood, and she enjoys sharing these values with students of all skill levels.

As an instructor, Emma is dedicated to fostering a supportive and inspiring learning environment. She helps students build confidence in their woodworking abilities by emphasizing hands-on learning, problem-solving, and creative expression. Whether guiding beginners through foundational skills or mentoring advanced students in fine craftsmanship, she is passionate about passing on the joy of working with wood.

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Experienced educator and fabrication lab manager with over 10 years of woodworking, digital fabrication, prototyping, marketing, and curricular design experience. MAC has collaborated with organizations across Chicago and the midwest, and across generations from youth & teen programming to adult workshops and intergenerational events for community elders. MAC’s approach to education is open to questions, empowering of inherent ability, and patient with growth. MAC believes knowledge is for everyone and was made to be shared.

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Max has been woodworking for ten years. He has worked as an apprentice boatbuilder in Maine and a cabinetmaker in Chicago. 

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Katie was born to pursue creative endeavors and enjoys helping others tap into their own creative passions. Since childhood, she has delved into artistic pursuits including drawing, painting, mosaics, carving -- and pretty much anything else she could get her hands on. Also at an early age, Katie closely watched her dad and grandfathers fix and build everything under the sun, and their handiwork created in her a spark that has grown into a flame. She loves doing a variety of home improvement projects and diving into both practical and artistic woodworking projects. In addition to teaching woodworking classes part time, Katie is a full-time journalist whose career has spanned TV, print, and online.

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Dan has taught woodshop at Rebuilding Exchange for 7 years and is a Civil Designer by trade. He enjoys bouldering, biking, and hiking, and loves attending concerts, art fairs, and maker's markets. An active volunteer at the West Andersonville Community Garden Walk, he’s also a Music Box Member and sports fan with Sky season tickets—Go White Sox! Dan specializes in furniture making with a focus on solving storage and organization challenges. He enjoys simple, sturdy designs and prefers using reclaimed lumber, embracing the challenge. With each project, he aims to learn something new and loves teaching safe woodshop practices, empowering others to overcome their fears and dive into DIY, steering them away from Ikea with his tips and tricks!