About Us

Our Story

Kids’ Carpentry was established in 1982 in Berkeley, CA. Since then, the program has engaged thousands of kids in hundreds of schools in the fun of wood working. It remains very popular among parents, educators, administrators and most importantly, kids.

Kids’ Carpentry Seattle continues the tradition of building confidence and teaching with respect and humor in a safe and happy environment. In a world of screens and consoles, we are committed to capturing children’s attention by providing quality programming through hands-on learning and engaging experiences.

Our Teachers

Loren Kite (he/him) — Director

Loren grew up picking through his father’s garage for his next big adventure. He has very fond memories of carrying around his first hammer and all of the work they did together. Their glory eventually lead him to a BFA in Production Management from the Theatre School at DePaul University and an AAS in Carpentry from Seattle Central’s Center for Wood Construction. Loren has worked for youth and children’s theatres in Chicago and Seattle. In his free time, Loren builds cat and human furniture and dreams up new and exciting Kids’ Carpentry Seattle projects.

Loren has been teaching Kids’ Carpentry since 2009 and is thrilled to be leading the Seattle branch of this exciting program. Loren has great relationships with kids and knows from experience how patience and positive attention can make a big impact. He is excited to share his enthusiasm with a new generation of eager carpenters.

Jessica Long (she/her) — Educational Programming Coordinator

Jessica is an educator with nearly 15 years of experience working with kids both in and out of the classroom. Whether teaching gymnastics, science, reading or carpentry, she values strong relationships with kids, learning together and opportunities to witness that moment when a kid achieves something they didn’t know they could do before. As an elementary and classroom teacher, Jessica has built her skills in collaboration to design projects that engage and inspire. Jessica teaches classes in Columbia and Hillman City.

Nicole Dillman (she/her) — Teacher

Nicole Dillman is a Washington state certified teacher with a Masters in education. Her background is in Special education supporting students with complex social- emotional, behavior and sensory processing needs. After noticing how hands-on projects positively impacted her students’ learning she was inspired to join Kids’ Carpentry. She believes that Kids’ Carpentry fills an important gap in education, providing opportunities for students to develop perseverance, fine and gross motor skills, math reasoning and work ethic. She believes all children deserve a chance to see themselves as makers.

In addition to teaching, Nicole is an artist and community activist developing curriculum for youth programs in Lake City with her partner and co-owner of Hellbent Brewing Company. Nicole is grateful to be part of such a unique program and enjoys seeing young carpenters work together. You can find her teaching at a variety of schools in North Seattle and Queen Anne.

Andrea St. Martin (she/they) — Teacher

Andrea started working as a teacher at Kids’ Carpentry in 2024. She was first introduced to carpentry when she was a kid and would go to her dad’s construction sites. Andrea enjoyed seeing how homes would come together from start to finish and because of this interest got a BA in Architecture at the University of Washington. After completing her degree, she did a construction based AmeriCorps term, where she learned more about carpentry.
At Kids’ Carpentry, Andrea likes solving problems and designing new projects.

Charlie Stephan (he/him) — Teacher

Charlie is an amateur carpenter and prop fabricator who focuses on visual aesthetics first and foremost. His philosophy on teaching is that as long as one is using their tools safely one can love them and use them in whatever way they see fit. In his own personal practice he nurtures sporadic and intuitive building over instructional or functional building. Of course his work does not always turn out as planned, it still in its own ways teaches many valuable lessons over time. It also fosters a love for learning and avoids a lot of burnout… Do not let your tools and comparing yourself to others wear you down! Do as you please! Safely though! Please!!!

Skyler Morford (he/him) — Teacher

Skyler has been working with wood most of his life. Whether that was building shelves and hat racks with his grandfather in his garage or building construction trailers under the hot California sun, he knows his way around a wood project. He joined Kid’s Carpentry after moving to the Seattle area from California. Call it destiny or fate, but only after joining the Kid’s Carpentry team did he realize that his family had participated in the Kid’s Carpentry program at its flagship location in Berkeley, California. He has taught at several schools across the northern Seattle school district, as well as a community center in Green Lake. He has always been inspired by the creativity and ingenuity of the kids he has had the chance to teach so far in his time at Kid’s Carpentry. Skyler can be identified by his big hair and his bigger personality.

Jess Hassman (he/him) — Teacher

Mr. Jess started woodworking (and construction) in the 80s & 90s and has spent time in both educational and personal settings learning and teaching those skills. He loves to think about the Art/Design process, apply it & see how it all “plays out.”
He is also a Graduate Student in Marriage and Family Therapy, and enjoys all ages’ inputs/effects.
In his free time he loves spending time with family and friends, roller skating, reading, woodworking, exploring the Outdoors – specifically the beaches of the Salish Sea, and the occasional video game session.

Yossi Gershel (they/them) — Teacher

Bio coming soon!

Locations

The Kids Carpentry Workshop in Columbia City 4739 Rainier Ave S. Seattle, WA 98118.