Willie's Woodshop

09/01/2022

Apologies to Friends, Families and Those that work with Willie’s Woodshop



It has been sometime since I have written a post and updated what is going on at Willie’s especially since it has prevented me from teaching classes and driving the bus.

I have cancer and receive various forms treatment on and off for the last 5 years. The last 5 months have been the most difficult, since it involves chemotherapy. Chemo isn’t debilitating but does take most of my energy. I keep hoping after each infusion it will be the last one. Like the parents and students, I am anxious to be in the bus teaching woodworking, technology and other fun hands-on activities

I wasn’t kidding when I said chemo drains my energy. I had to get an x-ray yesterday since one of the side effects of chemo is pneumonia. Just reaching overhead to move my arms out of the way nearly caused me to collapse. The other issue I am dealing with is pain. I have meds to mitigate pain, but it leaves me too stupid to drive the bus (there are those who said I have always had this condition) So the problem is it will be some time before I can travel and teach again. I want to take whatever time is necessary to heal and recover. I will open my shop in Galt for students to come work until there comes a time when I can drive the bus again.

Please be patient as I am trying to get there as quickly as I can

02/21/2020

Willie's Woodshop is now a vendor for the following charter schools:

Connecting Waters Charter School
Inspire Charter School (NEW)
Visions Charter School
Vista Oaks Charter School (NEW)

The following are pending approval

Rio Valley Charter School-Pacific Charter Institute
South Sutter Charter School-Innovative Education Management.

If you are a home school parent and would like to have Woodworking, Technology or Small Engine classes held at your home and you don't see your school listed, just message me

01/21/2019

Making progress on the interior of the trailer for adding technologies to my classes. Hope to be finished in a couple of weeks, ready for the new semester

10/29/2018

Due to interest/demand have decided to expand the scope of courses. Inspired by this rendering, bought this trailer to make room for new classes. Will be offering classes in small engines, welding and technology (3d printing, CNC routing, lasers, robotics, rocketry, etc.) Stay tuned for progress on this new project.

02/26/2018

6 months being repaired, finally back on the road. Thanks Leroy's Auto

02/25/2018

After 6 very long months and many many $$ I finally have my bus back. There is still a smog test, a whole lot of cleaning, a little refurbishment, loading tools and materials and we are ready to welcome kids to class. Thanks Leroy's Auto for all your hard work

11/20/2017

Bus repair is still not finished, do not have an ETA yet but will let everyone know when do. I want to thank everyone for their patience, it will be worth it when it is done

11/13/2017

This is the woman who inspired me to begin Willie's Woodshop after a fire in my classroom 8 years ago. Sheila Dawson, thank you for helping me find a purpose. I have always loved teaching and now I can continue teaching even after I retire as a public school teacher in June, 2018

Traveling San Diego schools and neighborhoods teaching kids ages 5-12 how to build wooden toys and u

11/06/2017

Bus is supposed to be finished by the end of the week. Then the real work begins; putting the cabinets, benches, drawers back; loading all the tools, machines and materials away and getting ready to welcome children back. It's been a long wait, but I am going to have reliability and piece of mind with a new drive train.

10/29/2017

New engine is in, old lump is out. Should be back business in a couple of weeks.

10/25/2017

Getting the engine out is requiring the disassembly of about one third of the interior