Mr. Michael Rowan first learned traditional woodworking at Dale Jackson Career Center (now TECC-West) through the Mill & Cabinetmaking program, and later through cabinetmaking and wood technology courses at Dallas County Community Colleges. He earned awards from AWISA design competitions as well as SkillsUSA during that time.

Professionally, he worked in high-end VIP aircraft interiors in Dallas and San Antonio. There he fabricated and quality inspected luxury aircraft cabinetry on VIP Boeing and Airbus aircraft alongside the FAA for foreign heads of state and royalty. Later he worked in events and exhibitions in Sydney, Australia, where he learned stage building and residential/commercial woodworking while being exposed to the movie set building industry as well. He has been to Japan and Korea and hopes to return and learn more about their traditional home and temple building practices and modern minimalist furniture in the future.  

Mr. Rowan has a wide range of exposure to a lot of different styles, technologies, and applications of woodworking from many places across the globe and hopes to show students the many possibilities a career in wood manufacturing can bring.

He first found his passion for teaching while living and teaching in Seoul, South Korea and later as the new-hired trainer in Sydney, Australia. As well, the kindness and help of his many shop teachers along the way influenced him to continue passing the craft to the next generation. The ability to empower a student with knowledge and confidence is his goal in the classroom.