Seeking Maker-Education Opportunity

[Andrew Guillet]

Hello fellow makers,

My name is Andrew Guillet. I love to make things, and I want to teach that.

I am trying to break deeper into the maker space education sector and would be so grateful for anyone’s help on how to do so.

I strongly believe that making things is the key to a person learning so many life skills, such as perseverance and collaboration, that are not formally taught in school or at home. 

I have always loved building things. My parents recall how I used to play in my preschool’s junkyard, bringing home assembled pieces. Later, I struggled to find a creative space until high school, where I started blowing glass. There, I rediscovered my passion for creation and enjoyed sharing knowledge from hands-on experience with classmates. Maker space education resonates with my belief that the best design education comes from hands-on exploration, problem-solving, and collaboration.

Currently, I am working as an instructional aid at Palo Alto High School, teaching glass and ceramics in the same studio where I rediscovered myself, and as an FRC robotics mentor for team 1700 at Castilleja School.

Recently graduating with a degree in industrial design, I have been exposed to many manufacturing processes, from digital fabrication to very traditional woodworking and furniture making. This education, combined with my experience as a teaching assistant and glassmaker for more than 8 years now, has helped me feel inspired to help others bring their visions to life. I hope to continue doing so for the rest of my life. 

It has been a pleasure to watch this group of makers support each other, and I would be so glad to serve a bigger role in this industry of maker-education. 

If anyone has any recommendations on steps I could take to break into the field or leads on opportunities, I would be so grateful if you could write back to me and share. If I can clarify anything about myself or my background, I would be happy to chat further.

Thank you all for your inspiration, and I look forward to learning from and contributing to this amazing community. 

Andrew Guillet

[Adam Singer]

Andrew, I love that you have such a passion for this work. Here are a few different paths you might consider: 

First, if you hope to work in the field of K-12 public education as an educator, you'll need to get get a California teaching credential in a STEM field like Career and Technical Education, which will involve some graduate school work. You can go the traditional route of going through a 1-2 year credential program. Alternatively, many universities and some districts also have pathways for earning a teaching credential that involve concurrent school and teaching, including some 1 year internships or even working on a temporary emergency credential and studying concurrently.

Independent/private schools are another option for employment that sometimes don't have the same formal credentialing requirements, but that will vary by school. Some of these independent schools have makerspace or fablab facilities with multiple positions, not just instructional, like lab managers and program developers. 

There are also businesses one can work for that offer after-school programs or are hired by schools to push in. And there are some educational facilities like the Crucible in Oakland that do both youth and adult classes on a variety of subjects. Many museums also have tinkering and making spaces, like the Tinkering Studio at the Exploratorium or the Tech Studio at the Tech Interactive Museum in San Jose. And many libraries have gotten into the makerspace business as well! 

Some colleges and universities also now have Fab Lab or makerspace facilities like Laney College in Oakland or at UC Berkeley

Do a wide search. It is not uncommon that schools invest a lot of money in creating a makerspace or fab lab with a founding teacher at the helm, and when that founding teacher moves on, these schools have a very challenging time finding a replacement teacher with the odd set of skills, knowledge, and passion to learn to be able to continue the program. It is not uncommon that once thriving makerspaces lay fallow without a teacher at the helm.

This is by no means an exhaustive list. I wish you good luck in your search to find a life path in the making world!

Adam Singer (he/him)

Technology / Maker Educator

Maker Tech Lab

Davidson Middle School

Instagram: DavidsonMakers

Class wishlist

Pictures of our class  projects on Flickr

Support our class projects on Donors Choose

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[Liz Whitewolf]

Andrew-

Welcome to the fun side!  I admire your passion, and this group is a great place for connecting.

I have a couple of opportunities to share that could help lead you more deeply into digital makerspaces in education:

1- Fab Learning Academy is a global teacher course designed for in-service educators (or makers) who are working with K12 age students in formal or informal settings. This course prioritizes three dimensions of teaching with this tool set: technology, the science of learning (pedagogy), and, perhaps most practical, innovative classroom practices. This international cohort of educators meet weekly, complete assignments in their local labs, develop lesson plans to share on SCOPESdf.org, and earn a diploma from the Fab Foundation through their Academany Programs. Check it out here: fla.academy.org

2- The Fab Educators Summit is a virtual gathering of K12 educators using making technology with learners. -January 30th 11:00-15:00 EST-This is a free, virtual summit that connects educators from around the world to share project ideas, approaches, new technology, and other aspects of maker education. The Summit itself is in ONE week, so register now and try to make it to as many sessions as you can. This year we have over 20 presentations/workshops from practitioners in 19 different countries. It is a great group to get involved with or to just see what is happening around the world in maker education.  Registration is still open: www.eduFAB.org/2026summit

Hope to see you virtually soon-

Liz Whitewolf, eduFAB