Everyone who pursues and achieves a degree from North Bennet is by definition highly motivated, a self starter, and self reflective on what career would best match their innate interests and talents. You value learning through doing which is what brought you to NBSS. At the heart of our education is the Sloyd Method. The Sloyd method emphasizes instruction that develops from simple, easy tasks to complex and more difficult projects; constantly building and becoming more nuanced.
The flow chart below is how I organize and think about these nuanced steps in learning any given carpentry task.
The journey of Carpentry graduates continues this Sloyd process long after graduation day in Old North Church.
The flow chart outlines how I teach any given topic and project at North Bennet. When we transition from students to alumni, this pedagogy transitions from a focus on small tasks and formal educational opportunities to represent every aspect of our working lives. Our knowledge grows as we attend conferences and dive deeper into specializations. Math becomes complicated as details are calculated. We start to layout not only placement of materials, but also project work flow and resources allocation. The simple practices of cutting studs and building walls becomes the adoption of new materials and techniques and the constructing of mock-ups to prove our mettle. Lastly, we journal and document our successes and our shortcomings to find room for improvement and mastery.
Though our careers are rooted in the Sloyd style of developing theory and practice we learn at NBSS, these methods become the basis for how we grow as carpenters, builders, and members of this industry. We build our companies and our community around this pedagogy.
Peter Smith PC ’04 Carpentry Department Head
Department Updates
The relationship between our industry and building science principles continues to deepen and the impact of this tide on materials, techniques, and compliance has necessitated incorporating building science in our curriculum. Where better to start the Carpentry program’s dive into building science than from an original source, the founding principle of Building Science Corporation’s Joe Lstiburek. NBSS was honored to host Joe for a day of building science fundamentals in October with our Carpentry and Preservation Carpentry students followed by an evening Building Science (BS) & Beer event hosted at NBSS and featuring Dr. Joe. The Carpentry program will continue to host building science experts and BS & Beer events each fall.
This coming fall we will be joined by Steven Baczek of SBA Architects and The Build Show. Catch our next issue of the Carpentry Newsletter and NBSS social media for details.
To complement Joe Lstiburek’s day of building science fundamentals, the Carpentry Program also welcomed John Deans from 475 Building Supply for a Tuesday Lecture. John spent a few hours with our students talking about window flashing details, WRBs, and insulation types. John’s morning lecture was one of a series of Tuesday morning lectures started this year as a way of including curriculum topics that are best in short, concentrated presentations. These topics have included company culture, history of construction, finishing, foundations, and wood technology to name a few. Many of these lectures have brought industry professionals with technical knowledge and experience to our classrooms and jobsites.
Lastly, I want to highlight two partnerships developed over the last few years. 1620 Workwear and CEO Ted De Innocentis have become supporters of the Carpentry Department. We have worked with 1620 on department clothing and supporting our work. Secondly, starting with the class of 2025, we established a deeper partnership with Aliza Wheeler and the folks at Occidental Leather/Badger Tool Belts. In September, Aliza flew out from Occidental California to be with us for a custom tool belt fitting and analysis after which all CA students ordered their Occidental or Badger belts. The Carpentry program is incredibly thankful to have partners like Ted and Aliza supporting our student experience and ensuring we never have to compromise on quality.
Brock Leiendecker PC ’16 Carpentry Instructor
Meet Our Students & Alumni
Matthew Dickman CA ‘26
What did you do before coming to NBSS? I worked full time at Morse Construction as an assistant carpenter. I’m still working there on Fridays and over breaks and will return there full time after graduation.
What will you be doing after graduation? Eric and Kristi Keyes, owners of Morse Construction, are funding my education at North Bennet Street and in return I have committed to working for the company for three years after graduation.
Favorite part of the curriculum? Exterior trim and finish on the shed project was really enjoyable and challenging.
What do you enjoy when not working? I’m a pickleball fanatic! My wife and I love it.
What brought you to NBSS? Career change. I taught high school math at three different independent schools in MA over 15 years.
What is the most enjoyable aspect of your work? Working for a small company that does custom remodels means I do a bit of everything. My title is Project Manager, but I do plenty of rough framing, finish carpentry, and learning the ropes of Boston permitting processes. Our projects are largely in Boston so we work on great old buildings, problem solving on how to make them perform to modern standards of efficiency and aesthetics.
What do you enjoy when not working? I love to be outside with my family—hiking, running, and exploring the city with my partner Robyn, our 6-month old Sawyer, and our dog Rookie : )
Important Dates
May 27: End of Year BBQ at Brock’s (All are welcome!)
March 8-19, 2027: CA Field Practicum (apply here to participate)
Industry Partner Spotlight
Readers Hardwood Supply is located in East Taunton, MA and carries domestic and exotic timbers, plywood, sheet goods and more. The owner, Jim Reader, worked at Downes & Reader for many years before opening his own shop in 2021. Jim's career has taken him to logging sites across North American and the Amazon, giving him a deep appreciation for the craftsmanship of his customers. His passion lies in understanding and celebrating the journey of wood from forest to finished piece of art. Readers has generously supported NBSS over the years, including a recent donation allowing us to build new benches for the Cabinet & Furniture Making program.
Please join us in patronizing Readers and supporting amazing local lumber yards!
Employer Spotlight
C2MG Builders,based in Topsfield, MA,is owned by Carpentry alumnus Kurt Fieldhouse CA ’93, who also serves on the Carpentry program advisory committee and was the 2022 NBSS Distinguished Alumni Award winner. Kurt founded C2MG in 2006, naming the company after his children—Corey, Chelsea, Mack, and Gretchen. What continues to drive Kurt today is not just the craft of building, but the sense of camaraderie—working alongside a dedicated team to bring ambitious residential projects to life and sharing in the pride of what they accomplish together.
C2MG specializes in restoring older and historic homes, and also builds and renovates new houses. They have been a major supporter of the Carpentry program over many years as employer, project partner, and Field Practicum partner. C2MG currently employs several graduates of NBSS, with nearly a dozen grads hired over the years. We thank Kurt and the whole team at C2MG or their continued support!
Reach Out to Us
Our program is always looking for great projects that will reflect the curriculum and experiences that make our program the success it is. If you have a project that you think would be a good fit, please let us know by emailing Peter and Brock at carpentry@nbss.edu or using this survey. Every year, we look to expand our database of employers, so please let us know of a company that we should be working with as a project partner, field practicum participant, or employer.
Are you currently hiring? Please reach out to Brock at bleiendecker@nbss.edu, or Esther Tutella-Chen, our Director of Student Support & Career Services, at etchen@nbss.edu.
If you know someone who'd like to receive this newsletter, have them fill out this form.
And finally... A survey question
Do you have a Carpentry alumni, partner, employer highlight suggestion?
