Buddy’s Workshop

Simple home improvement project to refinish and dress up my staircases.

Main Staircase: I removed the carpet and refinished the treads and had to build a new landing to match the treads.

Basement Stairs: When I removed the carpet, I discovered the green mess on the treads and risers. After sanding, I opted to paint them.

My wife asked me to out up some shelves for her books. I couldn’t just put shelves up, I had to make her a bookcase instead. I love when I get the chance to do some woodworking!

So fortunate to have these two incredible men by my side. When I asked for help to replace my garage door, my Son and Father in Law did not hesitate to lend a hand.

When my school’s PTA said they needed a balloon arch for out 5th Grade and Pre-School celebrations, I told them “I know a guy…” I was happy to make my school another project to celebrate our kids!

Despite a severe thunderstorm and tornado warning, our family night at Camden Yards was a wonderful time! Too bad the O’s lost to the Nats.

I am excited to share that I was awarded a STEM equipment grant from the Society for Analytical Chemists of Pittsburgh for my school! We obtained six Snap Circuits STEM Student Packs and nine Squishy Circuits Lite Kits.

I am currently a 5th grade Math and Sciences teacher, in a departmentalized Title I elementary school, and have created a STEM Center rotation during my Math class. My students work collaboratively, within their Math groups, to solve various STEM problems I pose, following the Engineering Design Process.

Some of my goals for my students is to build their problem solving resilience, become effective communicators (with their teams and written explanation of their results), and expose them to various STEM career opportunities for their future. Being awarded grants, like this SACP grant, helps me achieve this goal!

I enjoyed making these 1/8 scale coin holes for my kids and their significant others for Christmas. Since everyone attended/attends a different undergrad school, it made it easy to differentiate.

It was fun today as my fifth grade team wore our “Frosty the Snowman” themed costumes to start the day, and enter the school’s Holiday Extravaganza where our kids sang the theme song. The kids enjoyed seeing us at a totally different level.

It is enjoyable watching these young, and future military leaders, scrummage on the field as enemies, but end the game as brothers.

Mother Nature graced me with a wonderful day to get back to some woodworking! I enjoy when I can create crafts outside and focus on what I am making without regard to the weather.