09/11/2026
Probably the coolest announcement we have had in a long while!!!
Reach out to Ana Cardenas at 956-270-1859 (send her a message) If you are interested!!
We have 4 classes available (24 students total)
This is a commitment for the whole school year, so be prepared to see me every week.
Woodworking Classes For Teens
Up to 6 students per class
Class is once per week on either Saturday or Sunday
9:30 am - 2 pm
Or
2:30 pm – 7 pm
One parent must be present per class (can rotate parents for freedom purposes)
Minimum age per student is 13 years old
Safety equipment will be provided ($150 fee paid up front)
This covers: 2 types of masks, ear protection, and safety glasses (this item is consumable and they will go through several pairs throughout the year)
If your child wears glasses, let me know so I can buy the appropriate safety glasses for them.
Cost - $600 per month committed for the entire school year.
This brings the total cost to $5,550 for the first year.
We will work along side all parents to figure out how to raise money in order to reduce the cost, this will take some time, so please be patient.
What will your children learn?
Month 1 –
- Safety, is it really the first thing on the list?
- Tools, what are they and how do I use them?
- How do I build a box? Does it really have to be square?
- Sanding, it really does take forever.
Month 2 –
- I’m hungry, but all I have is this coffee table.
- Painting, is it really a pain, or do people just like to complain?
Month 3 –
- I really want to plant something in my new planter box.
- Clear coats, like rain coats for wood.
Month 4 –
- I want my parents to hang out with me in our back yard, so I built them an Adirondack chair, or two.
- Painting again? Yay!!!!!
Month 5 –
- Daddy is the reason Mommy needs a coffee bar.
Month 6 –
- It’s time I started putting my things away in drawers.
Month 7 –
- Shelves, they can float, and they can hold things.
Month 8 –
- Bird House, Squirl table, Chicken feed table, animals need furniture too!
Month 9 –
- This month has some catching up to do, we will almost certainly be behind on some projects, so now we have time to finish them.
Every project will be teaching the students a slightly more advanced level of skill. I can not teach them everything right off the bat simply because their young age means that their motor skills have room for improvement. The longer the kids are in the class, the more their skills will improve.
It is your job as the parent to understand that your child is already miles ahead of most other people simply because they are taking a class where they are learning to develop a skill.
Their work might look horrible in the beginning. That is ok. Keep reminding them that they are doing great, and that skills take time to develop. As long as they keep cleaning up after themselves, and as long as they are learning, they will get there. But seriously, drill that whole clean up thing into their heads.
Every student MUST WEAR long pants, sleeve length on the shirt doesn’t matter as long as they are not loose sleaves (it’s a safety thing) and close toed shoes (also a safety thing, blame the insurance companies).
The whole point of the class is to teach your kids a new skill while having a good time. They are allowed to have fun, they are allowed to joke, I don’t care what type of language they use as long as they are respectful (yes, they can say a bad word if they hit their thumb with a hammer, I won’t mind, I might actually laugh).
AND THIS PART IS VERY VERY VERY VERY VERY VERY VERY VERY VERY VERY VERY VERY VERY VERY VERY VERY VERY IMPORTANT!!!
Your kids are learning how to use power tools!!!
Safety is not a joke!!
They are young, but they are not toddlers, if they f**k around, they will most definitely find out how loud a 260 lb bald man can get. I am not kidding. If your children mess around with safety by knowingly putting themselves or others in danger (for example, throwing a hammer towards someone, or aiming a nail gun at another student, or playing around next to a working saw) they will be kicked out and not allowed to return, and you will still be contractually obligated to pay for the class. You are the parent, if you make me do your job, you will at the very least pay for me to do so.
This is a class for mature teenagers. You know your kids, if you don’t think they have the maturity to operate a saw, don’t sign up. Nothing personal, I just don’t want to lose another finger.
Your children will be building a lot of things, not all of which you will want to take home (for example, most of you already have a coffee table).
These items will be perfect for a potential auction at the end of the year.
We will all meet up together to discuss a potential fund raiser at the end of the year where we can sell tickets, and do something really cool for the students, as well as raise money so we can have more equipment and space for next year.
With your help we can create the RGV’s first woodworking school for children, something that we desperately need.
Oh, and I don’t speak Spanish. Sorry. I am ocean foreign, not river foreign.
