One of the highlights of George Vondriska’s teaching career was three years with the Peace Corps in Swaziland, Africa.
George Vondriska
George was in 6th grade when he had his first shop class. A great teacher, Bill Mathis, influenced George and he decided he wanted to be a shop teacher, just like Mr. Mathis. George went on to take every shop class he could, get his teaching degree in Industrial Education, and teach junior and high school. George has found his niche teaching adults.
One of the highlights of George’s teaching career was three years with the Peace Corps in Swaziland, Africa. He taught hand tool joinery in a rural high school, developed curriculum for country wide implementation, and helped train new Peace Corps Volunteers.
George has demonstrated tools for Delta, Shopsmith, Takagi, and Record Tool. In addition to teaching, George is a Contributing Editor for American Woodworker Magazine, demonstrates at American Woodworker shows nationwide, has made woodworking videos, and produces furniture in his shop in Hudson, Wi.
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Emily Vondriska
Emily holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology-Education, with a concentration in Naturalist. After teaching high school science for several years, she decided it was time for a learning experience overseas. Emily and George became Peace Corps Volunteers in Swaziland, Africa. Emily taught science but also took on several side projects to help the villagers. Much of her real teaching experience came from the villagers, the rural projects, and the wildlife that lived in the area. Upon returning to the States, Emily implemented what she saw and learned in Africa in her original artwork. She also picked up a few more skills from working in several florist shops, training dogs, and from living on a farm with George. Emily hopes to teach others much of what she's learned, getting them creatively involved with things both wild and natural.
