Setting the example ... Joe Lichty demonstrates one of the "tricks of the trade" to his young students.
Former FFS Staff Finds Meaning in Teaching Carpentry to Local Kids
By Erika C.
Joe Lichty was once a teacher, a sports coach, and the head of admissions at The Family Foundation School. Now, Lichty is working as a teacher for the Kids’ Carpentry Program in Minnesota.
The after-school program, started in 1982, and is well liked by parents, schools, and most of all, kids. The workshop helps children from ages 5-12 learn both woodworking and valuable life skills.
Lichty’s first experience in teaching was coaching girls’ tee ball in third grade. After working with college students, he came to The Family School where he began teaching English and math and coaching sports teams. He later became the head of the admissions department at FFS and worked at the school for about six years with his wife.
Lichty left FFS to move back to Minnesota with his family, where he was originally from.
He realized the potential for this enterprise while teaching his own kids how to woodcarve. “I had been working with my boys and saw how excited they were about it,” said Lichty.
He became interested in starting a business and met Michael Glass, the director of Kids’ Carpentry. He was trained to be a teacher for the program and today Lichty teaches Kids’ Carpentry to kids in his area.
When he is not working for the Kids’ Carpentry program, Lichty spends time working for another business, being a dad, and helping out with young people’s retreats all across the country. “Engaging kids so they can learn, create, and grow in confidence is something that brings me great joy,” said Lichty.
Kids’ Carpentry’s success is due mostly to the kids’ ongoing interest in the projects and what they learn and accomplish. Students in the program learn measuring, sawing, drilling, sanding, shaping, painting…etc.
They will also begin to grasp concepts such as abstract reasoning, mathematics problem solving, craftsmanship, fine motor skills, and patience. “While the children build fun and exciting projects, they are also empowered to become independent thinkers?building confidence, self?esteem, and practical skills.”
To learn more about this wonderful opportunity visit www.kidscarpentry.net . To bring the Kids’ Carpentry Program to your area, contact Joe Lichty at josephlichty@yahoo.com.
