{"type":"rich","version":"1.0","provider_name":"Transistor","provider_url":"https://transistor.fm","author_name":"The District Dialogue ","title":"How Hands-On Learning Transforms Students | Chris Wood, SFUSD","html":"<iframe width=\"100%\" height=\"180\" frameborder=\"no\" scrolling=\"no\" seamless src=\"https://share.transistor.fm/e/9a7a1bb7\"></iframe>","width":"100%","height":180,"duration":2807,"description":"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.\nFrom 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.\nKey Moments\n\n00:00 Welcome, show overview & guest introduction\n00:51 From builder to educator: how Chris “semi-retired” into teaching\n02:47 Preparing students for union carpentry and commercial construction work\n03:45 Reality check: hard, dirty work—and why opportunity still draws students in\n42:31 Advice for students: advocate for yourself, ask early, not at the last minute\n43:12 The Salesforce Tower story: persistence, networking, and getting students on site\n\n45:27 Parting wisdom: just show up, “just do it,” and try before you decide you can’t\nWhy You’ll Love This Episode\nIf 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.\nConnect with Chris Wood\nLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-wood-b6a9b712\n\nConnect with Us\nHost’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/julian-fitzgerald-r-471155149\nCompany LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/cxmmunity\nCompany Website:...","thumbnail_url":"https://img.transistorcdn.com/es8MvdnithTQCiKsAzjW-wI-vabTI_c1GIfF930RYoU/rs:fill:0:0:1/w:400/h:400/q:60/mb:500000/aHR0cHM6Ly9pbWct/dXBsb2FkLXByb2R1/Y3Rpb24udHJhbnNp/c3Rvci5mbS9lOTA3/OTdiODNlMWFjMjVl/ZDA0ZTNmNWU3YjIw/ZTUwMi5qcGc.webp","thumbnail_width":300,"thumbnail_height":300}