“Success is measured not just by outcomes, but by how students grow into capable, career-ready individuals with confidence in their skills.”
Sam Garson teaches Project Management in the Trades and Electric Vehicle Principles at Friday Harbor High School in Friday Harbor, Washington. His path to skilled trades education began as a substitute teacher in Miami Dade County. He later taught biology in urban schools before joining the Ocean Exploration Trust aboard the E/V Nautilus, where he operated deep sea ROVs on high stakes ocean expeditions. Inspired by the intersection of technology, exploration, and hands on problem solving, Sam completed graduate coursework in Tufts University’s Engineering Education Program, He returned to the classroom to revitalize his school’s CTE program, introducing robotics, 3D CAD modeling, and a pioneering EV Principles course in which students build fully functional electric vehicles.
Garson provides students with a safe, modern, and fully equipped space to engage in high level, hands-on projects such as building SWITCH EVs, wiring complex systems, and fabricating custom components. His curriculum is tightly aligned to state and national industry standards, embedding certifications like Autodesk ACU and EV Safety Level 1 while creating clear pathways to college, apprenticeships, and skilled trades careers. Garson constantly refines assessments and instructional strategies to better support differentiated learning, career exploration, and leadership development in every student. Students regularly connect with industry professionals through the “Trades Talks” series, compete at state and national Technology Student Association events, and present their work at public showcases, building both technical mastery and professional confidence. Garson has offered nine trades courses on an alternating schedule and twelve certifications across general education and CTE, providing broad career pathways. His program fosters equity, leadership, and career readiness, ensuring every graduate leaves with skills that meet the demands of a global workforce.
Notes of excellence
- Garson’s students have presented projects such as their student-built SWITCH EV at the local utility’s Member Fair, confidently explaining technical systems and fielding questions.
- In 2022, Garson received a Fulbright Teachers for Global Classrooms Program award.
- Graduates move on to elite universities, apprenticeships, and internships; students earned second place in a national design contest for wiring a USB port into a fully assembled motor controller.
- Garson participates in National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and Ocean Exploration Trust expeditions, bringing cutting-edge industry experience directly into classroom projects.