LAMORINDA WEEKLY | Teacher Dupont Says Goodbye to Campo


Teacher Don Dupont with some of the awards received by his students over the years. Photo Chris Lavin

Longtime woodworking instructor Don Dupont is hanging up his tool belt this month. He will clock out for the last time when school ends and head for the great world of retirement.

"I love this job," said Dupont, who has taught woodworking and furniture making at Campolindo High School for 16 years. And

students love him, too.

"He's a really good teacher," said Will Gipson, a junior who has taken gradually more complex classes from Dupont for more than three years.

His students have won dozens of woodworking awards over the years, and the community is scattered with creative projects. For example, the lectern that holds the big dictionary at the entrance of the Lafayette Library - which resembles a stack of books - was made by his students.

Dupont plans on spending time with his family, traveling - and of course continuing wood projects.

"I'm going to miss teaching," he said.