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Normal life has been hammered hard by COVID-19.

But the virus crisis, which led La Conner Schools to adopt a distance learning model this semester, is not stopping construction class students from continuing to build their projects.

More important, the pandemic is also teaching them how to build lifelong problem-solving skills.

Credit La Conner High shop teacher Daniel Castillo with laying the foundation to help his students overcome obstacles related to virtual classrooms and technology dependence.

“When we come to technology challenges or life hurdles,” Castillo told the Weekly News, “we find solutions. We work around, we go under, we may even pause for a minute, then revisit. But we go forward.”

Castillo has set the example.

Originally a history teacher in his native California, Castillo has learned to make and edit instructional and safety videos and has tapped local sources for tools and supplies students need to work on projects while taking classes on-line at home.

Each Friday Castillo posts demonstration videos and project dimension plans on the Canvas online learning management system used by La Conner Middle and High School.

“Students watch the videos and do the corresponding project on their time,” he said.

Castillo and students confer regularly via teleconferencing.

“When we Zoom,” he explained, “they can ask questions and show me their progress. Then they can use the Zoom class period time to make progress on their projects.”

Castillo said he has benefitted from technology assistance provided by La Conner Schools colleagues Beth Clothier and Ryan Hiller.

“Our tech support,” he said, “is second to none.”

Castillo has issued students tool kits composed of a handsaw, tape measure, hammer, speed square, glue, finish nails, nail punch, sandpaper, clear sealer, paint brush and wood. He said Harbor Freight Tools of Mount Vernon offered the construction class a discount on those materials.

Liquids and consumables are placed in souffle cups donated by Pioneer Market, he said.

In addition, Castillo said Tim Chomiak, owner of Blackbird Landscaping of La Conner, donated and milled the cedar students use for their projects.

“It takes a village,” he stressed. “I seek materials and supplies from organizations and companies in our community.

“The projects are small and manageable,” Castillo said, “such as napkin holders, utility trays, tool totes, keepsake boxes and mini-planter boxes.”

Castillo has several key goals in mind for his students. Those include gaining familiarity with construction terminology and developing employable skills and mastery of a physical craft.

Castillo’s enthusiasm has proved infectious – even at a distance.

“This,” he said, “is my second year teaching woodshop and it’s the best thing in the world. Every day I experience woodshop instructor bliss.”

Castillo, who holds a degree in political science from Long Beach State University, brings experience in the construction trade to the classroom. He has had a role in building a half dozen houses, some in the La Conner area.

His focus now is on creating student blueprints for success. He has taught since 2007, and this, because of COVID-19, is a year like no other.

“The one thing I miss,” Castillo said, “is the connection with students. It seems more elusive at times like these. ‘Do they like the class? Are they bored? Are they stressed? Are they bone-crushingly disappointed in my B-movie quality video production?’

“So, messaging them in Canvas and calling them and their parents to check in can mean so much,” he said.

With distance learning, Castillo has designed a new rubric by which to help assess student achievement. He calls it “success morsels.”

“Every time a student logs on, reads an article, troubleshoots a tech problem, figures out how to make it to the Zoom meeting, I take the time and acknowledge that,” he explained, “this is them succeeding in the now.

“That,” said Castillo, “is to say waiting for some magical moment of success arriving in the future is an illusion. Their success is happening now. They are building their problem-solving and maturity muscles every day and that is something to be proud of.”