On October 8, we surprised 25 U.S. public high school skilled trades teachers in 19 states with the news that they had been named winners of the Harbor Freight Tools for Schools Prize for Teaching Excellence®. The 25 teachers and their programs were awarded a total of $1.5 million in cash prizes.
This year there are winners from 19 states, including: California, Colorado, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Montana, Nevada, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Tennessee, Utah, Washington, and Wisconsin. A full list of winners is here.
From Rhode Island to Hawaii, schools surprised their prizewinning teacher with the news at prize celebrations. This brief video provides a recap of some of our favorite moments.
Favorite News Stories
Oakley Van Oss – Breckenridge, CO
Teacher in Colorado’s high country honored for dual language welding classes, CBS News, Oct 15, 2024
“Nothing you do in this class will ever feel like a mistake,” said student Lucas Navratil. “You’ll always be coached through it, and he will always make you feel like there’s a way to fix it. He’ll tell you exactly how to fix it.”
Donna Newell – Erie, PA
Erie High teacher wins grand prize with the 2024 Harbor Freight Tools for Schools, YourErie.com, Oct 8, 2024
Newell said the money will be used towards funding the welding program.
“Right now, we actually have some equipment that is broken that we need to have it up and running so some of it’s going to go towards that,” Newell said. “We’re constantly in the community asking for donations, so to be awarded this, I never in a million years thought that this would happen.”
Andrew Rice – Indianapolis, IN
High-gear instruction: J. Everett Light Center automotive teacher receives prestigious honor, Current, Nov 5, 2024
Rice received a check for $50,000, which includes $35,000 for the school’s program and $15,000 for Rice. He also received a U.S. General full-bank tool cart.
“I want to use (the $35,000) to get certification for our students,” Rice said. “The more students we can get certified, the better chance they are going to have when they get out in the real world. We have ASE certifications and there are 10 areas the students can get certified. We’re going to focus on steering and suspension first, and once we get everybody certified in that, we are going to broaden our spectrum to include air conditioning, electrical, brakes and all the systems on the vehicles.”
Laurie Hilderbrand – Soquel, CA
Soquel teacher wins $50,000 teaching prize, KSBW, Oct 9, 2024
Hilderbrand emphasizes the importance of keeping up with rapidly changing technology to prepare students for the real world.
“Technology changes so rapidly and computer numerically controlled equipment is expensive. I will be able to afford to buy a CNC router for my students to use and learn 21st-century skills so that they can take into their careers and into the real world,” said Hilderbrand.
Mike Degitis – Centennial, CO
Cherry Creek teacher wins $100,000 national teaching award, 9 News, Oct 8, 2024
Junior Khachik Mirimanyan said Degitis’ class is his favorite part of the day and that the honor was well-deserved. “He never fails to make me happy,” Khachik said. “He deserves more than this. He deserves more than a million.”
About the Harbor Freight Tools for Schools Prize for Teaching Excellence
The prize, now in its eighth year, was created to recognize excellence among high school skilled trades teachers, a group of educators who are frequently overlooked and underappreciated. Since 2017, more than $8.9 million has been awarded to over 150 teachers and their programs. The mission of Harbor Freight Tools for Schools is to increase understanding, support and investment in skilled trades education in U.S. public high schools.
The Harbor Freight Tools for Schools Prize for Teaching Excellence was started in 2017 by Eric Smidt, owner and founder of Harbor Freight Tools.
This year there were more than 900 applications for the prize. The application process included three rounds of judging, each by an independent panel of experts from education, industry, nonprofits, and philanthropy.
The 25 winners and their programs will receive a total of $1.5 million in cash prizes as follows:
Five Grand Prize Winners
Amount: $100,000 each
($70,000 for their school’s skilled trades program and $30,000 for the teacher)
Twenty Prize Winners
Amount: $50,000 each
($35,000 for their school’s skilled trades program and $15,000 for the teacher)
In some cases, due to school, district or state policy, the programs will receive the entire prize winnings.
About Harbor Freight Tools for Schools
Harbor Freight Tools for Schools is a program of The Smidt Foundation, established by Harbor Freight Tools owner and founder Eric Smidt, to advance excellent skilled trades education in U.S. public high schools. With a deep respect for the dignity of these fields and for the intelligence and creativity of people who work with their hands, Harbor Freight Tools for Schools aims to drive a greater understanding of and investment in skilled trades education, believing that access to quality skilled trades education gives high school students pathways to graduation, opportunity, good jobs and a workforce our country needs. Harbor Freight Tools is a major supporter of the Harbor Freight Tools for Schools program. For more information, visit: HFTforschools.org
HARBOR FREIGHT TOOLS FOR SCHOOLS, THE SMIDT FOUNDATION and HARBOR FREIGHT TOOLS FOR SCHOOLS PRIZE FOR TEACHING EXCELLENCE are registered trademarks owned or licensed by The Smidt Foundation.
