Programs & Registration
2026 Late Fall Program
The schedule for the 2026-27 school year is as follows:
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Early Fall Program:
September 2nd - October 21st
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Late Fall Program:
October 28th - December 16th
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Winter Program:
January 27th - March 17th
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Spring Program:
March 31st - May 19th
Our 2026 Late Fall Program offers 11 courses for children of all ages!
The Late Fall Program is 8 weeks long; each course meets for one hour each Wednesday.
Scroll down to:
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View the course schedule
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Meet our instructors
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Read an overview and syllabus for each course
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View pricing & other registration details
Course Schedule: 2026 Late Fall Program
Collaborative Problem Solving in Mathematics
Ages 6-8
10 am
11 am
12 pm
1 pm
Dynamic Piano: Intro to Piano for Beginners
Ages 6-8
Collaborative Problem Solving
in Mathematics
Ages 6-8
Lunch & Recess Hour
Ages 6-12
American History: The Road to Revolution
Ages 6-8
Movement & Agility
Ages 6-11
Uke Troop: Intro to Ukulele for Beginners
Ages 6-8
Christmas Show Choir Performace
Ages 6-12
Woodworking: Crafting with Wood
Ages 9-12
The American Revolution Part 1: 1767-1778
Ages 9-12
Flag Football
Ages 9-12
Flag Football
Ages 9-12
The Woodshop
Skill Builders
Ages 13-17
Introduction to Engineering
Ages 13-17
Instructors: 2026 Early Fall Program
Alan Bowden is currently the Football Program Leader and Urban Missionary for Urban Impact Foundation and the Assistant Varsity Football Coach at Seton LaSalle High School. Alan conducts performance training for his athletes during the off-season. Also, he has worked part time as a Counselor at the Greater Pittsburgh YMCA. Alan is a native of Portsmouth, Virginia, and while attending Norfolk State University in Norfolk, Virginia, he played college football. While in high school, Alan was a letterman in football, track and field, and baseball.
Ashley Glessner has studied music for over 20 years and has taught and performed for 15+ years. She currently holds a Bachelors of Music Technology Performance/Voice along with a Masters in Music Technology – Digital Music Pedagogy/Voice, both from Duquesne University. Ashley’s past experiences include performing solo, collaborating with others, participating in choirs and orchestras, singing in quartets, performing vocal jazz, applying classical vocal pedagogy techniques, recording audio in a studio, engineering live sound, leading worship, and coaching future worship leaders. In addition to owning and teaching at Dynamic Music Studio, she loves working with students through various partnerships to bring music to our surrounding local community.
Emma C. Heinbaugh is an award-winning dancer, choreographer, singer, actress and educator with a heart for the next generation! As a mother herself, she deeply believes in creating safe spaces for children’s artistic expression. Emma has traveled the country performing and choreographing for national tours in both dance and musical theatre, as well as choreographing for competitive dance teams and shows across the nation. She is so excited to be back with Legacy Academy this semester and cannot wait to help your child bloom!
Wayne Goebel retired in 2022 after 29 years with the then Port Authority of Allegheny County. With the dream of building and repristinating fine furniture of lasting value as a legacy for future generations, Wayne and his wife Charlotte registered a new company named WayneCraft LLC. As a third-generation craftsman/contractor, woodworking and craftsmanship are in his DNA. The skills passed down from his grandfather and father have translated into his desire to teach future generations the joy of creativity. After graduating from the Back Channel School of Woodworking, Wayne was asked to stay on as a volunteer instructor and assistant where he continued to refine his skills. He is also an active member of The Western PA Woodworkers Association. “I have such a passion for fine woodworking and a deep desire to inspire creativity in the budding craftsmen of our next generation.”
Melissa Gesuale is an experienced educator with nine years of teaching experience spanning a diverse range of student ages and learning needs. Her background includes both special education and general education mathematics, where she developed a strong reputation for creating engaging, student-centered learning environments that promote academic growth and confident thinkers. In recognition of her dedication and impact in the classroom, Melissa was honored with Pennsylvania’s Promising Practitioner Award. She is passionate about helping all learners reach their full potential through evidence-based instructional practices and meaningful relationships. Currently, Melissa works as a flight attendant, bringing the same commitment to communication, adaptability, and service that defined her years in education. She continues to pursue her passion for education by designing enriching learning experiences that encourage curiosity, critical thinking, collaboration, and creativity.
Nicole Chabola is an experienced educator with a passion for helping students learn through engaging, hands-on experiences. She earned both her Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education and her Master’s Degree in Reading from PennWest Edinboro (formerly Edinboro University of Pennsylvania). Nicole holds certifications in Elementary Education (K–6) and Special Education (K–12), allowing her to work with a wide range of learners and learning styles. During her 12 years in public education, she spent eight years teaching students on the autism spectrum in elementary and high school settings and four years teaching 5th grade social studies. Nicole brings a love of history, literacy, and student-centered learning to the classroom and is excited to help students explore the people, events, and stories that shaped America.
Seth Wermager is the co-founder and director of Pittsburgh Legacy Academy. He spent 14 years in urban education teaching middle school science, US history, and English. At his previous school, Seth was known for having high expectations for his students. Having spent most of his career teaching science, he started and ran a school wide science fair for years, developed partnerships with local universities, and helped increase student achievement. Ever since he was in the 7th grade, he knew he was called to be a teacher. In July of 2026, Seth decided it was time to step away from the public school system entirely to focus on building Legacy Academy, which will become an educational model that he believes can help initiate a revolution for change within the traditional American school model.
Dennis Hydock retired at the end of 2025 after 35 years as co-owner and president of Integrated Industrial Technologies, Inc. In 1990, he and two fellow engineers founded the company to deliver industrial automation solutions to manufacturers across a wide range of industries. The company designs, builds, and programs custom turnkey systems using robotics, machine vision, and industrial computers, with tailored hardware for the automotive, aerospace, glass, tire and rubber, naval, medical, and other markets. In 2025, the company moved to a 60,000-square-foot facility in Fox Chapel that brings engineering and manufacturing under one roof. Dennis holds degrees in electrical and mechanical engineering from Penn State University. He previously designed automated mining systems at MSA and developed manufacturing processes at Vesuvius for high-temperature refractories used in the steel industry. Dennis will inspire a new generation of technologists by sharing his entrepreneurial drive and enthusiasm for science and technology.
Pricing & Registration
Prices for Each 8 Week Program
Registration Fee: $30 per family
Pay Per Course: The price for each course depends on the nature of the course & materials costs utilized during class time. Specific prices are noted for each course description seen below.
Other Details
A cafe space is available for parents to utilize during class hours if needed.
Legacy Academy parents enjoy a gym membership at All American for only $15 per month!
Families registering 3+ children recieve 20% off! Email sethwermager@gmail.com to recieve a promo code.
For the Lunch / Recess Hour, students must bring a peanut free packed lunch.
Questions? Email sethwermager@gmail.com
Course Descriptions: 2026 Late Fall Program
Dynamic Piano: Intro to Piano For Beginners
Ashley Glessner
Ages 6-8 | 10 am | $60
Have a budding musician looking to play piano?! This 8 week course is a beginner level class that will meet the students at any musical level and skill. Students will follow along in a piano book that is provided for class (students should be able to identify numbers and letters easily in order to follow along during class!). We will dive into the fundamental musical basics on piano as well as learning how to read notes on the staff. In addition to using a piano curriculum we will also integrate fun sight reading music games to help with our retention of musical notation. Keyboards will be available for use at Legacy Academy for classes, but practice is encouraged during the week if you have a keyboard or piano at home. Printed music books will be provided on the first day of class. On the last week of this course, we plan to hold a small performance for everyone to share their piano gifts through solo songs for their immediate families.
Movement & Agility
Alan Bowden
Ages 6-8 | 10am | $60
This 8-week course introduces students to the fundamentals of physical movement, coordination, and body control. Students will develop balance, running, jumping, landing, agility, and change-of-direction skills through structured games, drills, and obstacle courses. Classes will also focus on personal space, safe movement, quick starts and stops, reaction to verbal and visual cues, and listening skills. Students will practice skills such as sprinting, hopping, shuffling, crawling, balancing, and navigating cones and obstacle courses while learning to control their movements before increasing speed. As the course progresses, students will combine these skills through more challenging movement activities, agility circuits, and team-based games. The course is designed to build a strong foundation of physical skills while helping students become more confident and capable in a variety of activities.
Woodworking: Crafting with Wood
Wayne Goebel
Ages 9-12 | 10 am | $75
Through this 8-week class, young students will learn the fundamentals of safe and creative woodworking. We will revisit the introductory lessons from last semester, giving new students the opportunity to catch up with returning students. Each week, we will introduce and demonstrate hand tools designed for young hands, ensuring that students understand each tool’s proper function and safe operation. This semester, students will build projects using wooden kits that require the basic skills of measuring, marking, cutting, and joinery. As they work through each project, students will develop greater familiarity with tools and gain experience applying these skills to their work. Some projects will be completed as teams, while others will be completed individually.
Collaborative Problem Solving in Mathematics
Melissa Gesuale
Ages 6-8 | 11 am | $60
Math isn't just about numbers—it’s about figuring things out, spotting patterns, making predictions, and discovering creative solutions. In this hands-on course, students will become math detectives, engineers, code breakers, and problem solvers as they tackle challenges that put their thinking skills to the test! From cracking secret number codes and discovering hidden patterns to building mathematical structures, creating treasure maps, experimenting with probability, and solving a great mathematical mystery, every class will turn math into an adventure. Students will learn to ask “How do you know?”, “Can I solve it another way?”, and “What if I tried…?” while developing confidence, logical reasoning, mathematical communication, and collaboration skills.
Uke Troop: Intro to Ukulele for Beginners
Ashley Glessner
Ages 6-8 | 11 am | $60
Have a child that has always wanted to try Ukulele but not sure how or where to begin? This class is perfect for you! Our 8 week Ukulele For Beginners class covers the fundamental foundations of ukulele through music theory and rhythm along with reading musical chord sheets. All students begin playing from the first week and will be able to play several songs right away. Ukuleles will be available for use at the Legacy Academy for classes. Printed music books will be provided for this class, so students are welcome to (but not required to) practice throughout the week on a personal instrument. In the last week of this course, we plan to hold a small performance for everyone to share our ukulele skills learned through a group song or solo pieces for immediate families.
The American Revoution Pt 1: 1767-1778
Seth Wermager
Ages 9-12 | 11 am | $65
Students who were not registered in our Early Fall Program course are still welcome to jump in to our study of American history! Students will receive free loaned copies of The Tuttle Twins America’s History, Volume 1 and Volume 2 for weekly at-home readings that prepare them for each class. In this course, students will step into the events that shaped the American Revolution—from the Boston Massacre and Boston Tea Party to the Declaration of Independence and the Revolutionary War. Rather than simply memorizing dates and names, students will examine primary sources, analyze historical artwork, investigate military strategy, and evaluate the ideas that persuaded ordinary colonists to risk everything for independence. Students will study firsthand and contemporary sources, including Paul Revere’s Boston Massacre engraving, Thomas Paine’s Common Sense, the Declaration of Independence, and selections from all 13 original state constitutions. Along the way, they will explore what Revolutionary War combat was actually like, why the outnumbered Continental Army was able to challenge the world’s most powerful military, and how unconventional tactics, determination, and leadership shaped the course of the war. The course concludes at Valley Forge, where students will examine the brutal winter conditions faced by Washington’s army and consider how Washington’s leadership helped preserve the fragile Continental Army during one of the Revolution’s most difficult moments.
Flag Football
Alan Bowden
Ages 9-12 | 11 am | $65
This 8-week course introduces students to the fundamentals of flag football, including throwing, catching, ball carrying, route running, flag pulling, and basic offensive and defensive play. Students will learn proper throwing and catching techniques while developing hand-eye coordination, agility, speed, and footwork. The course will introduce basic football positions, formations, routes, and play execution as students progress from individual skills to team play. Defensive instruction will focus on flag-pulling technique, pursuit angles, defensive footwork, and basic zone coverage. Students will also learn the importance of communication, teamwork, sportsmanship, and understanding their responsibilities on the field. The final weeks will give students the opportunity to apply these skills through controlled scrimmages, skills challenges, and a team tournament.
Lunch & Recess Hour
Ages 6-12 | 12 pm | $30
This provides a great opportunity for kids to build friendships and burn off some steam. This especially becomes useful as we head into the winter months! This time slot just allows kids to be kids: eat with friends and play on the basketball court! 8 hours total of fun throughout the program for only $30. Pack a peanut free lunch please!
The Woodshop Skill Builders
Wayne Goebel
Ages 13-17 | 12 pm | $80
Through this 8-week course designed for teenagers, students will learn the fundamentals of safe and creative woodworking. We will continue to build off of the knowledge and skills developed in the Early Fall program, but new students are welcome to join in! Safety in the workshop environment will be paramount while keeping a creative atmosphere where students can express themselves with newly developing skills and knowledge. Concepts include shop safety, wood identification, measuring and shaping, the “Art of the Cut”, joinery and gluing, complex assembly and clamping, and basic finishing techniques. Both hand and power tools will be introduced and demonstrated and, where appropriate, utilized under strict supervision. Students will demonstrate their skills & learning through building a small table-top storage chest as a culminating project.
American History: The Road to Revolution
Nicole Chabola
Ages 6-8 | 1 pm | $60
Students who were not registered in our Early Fall Program course are still welcome to jump in to our study of American history! Students will recieve a free loaned copy of America's Story Volume 1 from Masterbooks to complete at home readings with parents. Throughout this program, students will explore the people, ideas, and events that helped lead the American colonies toward the Revolutionary War. We’ll learn about important individuals such as William Penn, William Wilberforce, and a young George Washington and discover how their choices helped shape history. Students will explore how life and ideas in the colonies began to change as disagreements with Great Britain grew. We’ll discover how words, courage, leadership, and beliefs can influence people and bring about change. As we move toward the American Revolution, students will hear stories of the people and events that played a part in America’s fight for independence. Through stories, maps, discussion, and hands-on activities, students will begin to understand how America moved from a group of colonies toward becoming a new nation.
Christmas Show Choir Performance
Emma Heinbaugh
Ages 6-12 | 1 pm | $65
Get ready for some holiday magic in our Christmas Show Choir course! Over 8 weeks, students build confidence and stamina singing and dancing together. Each class combines vocal warm-ups, choreography basics, and performance exercises focused on teamwork and stage presence. We will explore upbeat, festive music that gives every student a chance to shine while learning how to support their classmates. The session wraps with a special off-site performance at a local senior living community, giving our ensemble a wonderful opportunity to share everything they have learned with family & the community. No experience is needed, just a love of performing and a willingness to try something new!
8 Week Course Syllabus CLICK TO VIEW
Introduction to Engineering
Dennis Hydock
Ages 13-17 | 1 pm | $80
This eight-week course introduces the fundamentals of mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, and programming logic, with an emphasis on how these disciplines work together. Students begin with mechanical engineering and follow the product design process from ideas and specifications to models, drawings, assemblies, material selection, and make-or-buy decisions. Hands-on activities include conceptual sketching and technical drawing with measuring instruments. A computer-aided design (CAD) demonstration shows how modern technology can streamline the design process. Students are also introduced to free online CAD programs they can install on a home computer for further exploration. The course next covers fundamental electrical engineering concepts and formulas for voltage, current, resistance, and power. Students use these principles to design simple circuits, investigate electric motor operation, and build a basic motor. They also examine how motors generate torque and horsepower, perform work in mechanical systems, and interact with gears that change speed and torque. Finally, students will use the electrical circuits developed earlier to create a simple logic system that controls a motor’s position and speed, introducing core robotics concepts.
Questions?
Questions about Pittsburgh Legacy Academy? Email our director: sethwermager@gmail.com