In this episode of District Dialogue, host Julian Fitzgerald sits down with Chris Wood, Career Technical Instructor for San Francisco Unified School District. A former residential remodeler turned educator, Chris has spent years building a construction trades pathway at John O’Connell High School that connects carpentry skills with real-world projects, union jobs, and community impact.

From tiny homes and rainwater catchment systems to skate obstacles and “mud kitchens” for preschoolers, Chris shares how hands-on, public-facing projects can fund a program, engage students who don’t see themselves in traditional classrooms, and open doors to living-wage careers.

Key Moments

00:00 Welcome, show overview & guest introduction

00:51 From builder to educator: how Chris “semi-retired” into teaching

02:47 Preparing students for union carpentry and commercial construction work

03:45 Reality check: hard, dirty work—and why opportunity still draws students in

42:31 Advice for students: advocate for yourself, ask early, not at the last minute

43:12 The Salesforce Tower story: persistence, networking, and getting students on site

45:27 Parting wisdom: just show up, “just do it,” and try before you decide you can’t

Why You’ll Love This Episode
If you are a CTE leader, classroom teacher, or district administrator looking to make hands-on learning sustainable and meaningful, this episode is full of practical ideas. You’ll hear how to design projects that fund themselves, build authentic partnerships with city agencies and contractors, and teach soft skills that matter as much as any measurement or cut. It’s a grounded, honest look at what it really takes to help students move from “I don’t know” to proud, career-ready builders.

Connect with Chris Wood

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-wood-b6a9b712

Connect with Us
Host’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/julian-fitzgerald-r-471155149
Company LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/cxmmunity
Company Website: https://www.cxmmunityfoundation.org/

This episode is a playbook for how schools can use hands-on, community-serving projects to fund programs, build soft skills, and open real career pathways while keeping student growth at the center.

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