Harbor Freight Tools for Schools Prizes for Teaching Excellence are Open for Applications

The company has doubled the Tools for Schools Prize to award a total of $1 million.

Harbor Freight founder Eric Smidt says the company was so inspired by last year’s teachers’ commitment and passion for teaching that they wanted to do more. This year, they will be awarding more than $1 million in prizes to even more outstanding skilled trades teachers and their public high schools.

Three first-place winners and their schools will receive $100,000 ($30,000 to the teacher or teacher team, and $70,000 to their high school's skilled trades program), and 15 second-place winners will receive $50,000 ($15,000 to the teacher or teacher team, and $35,000 to their high school's skilled trades program).

Skilled trades teachers in this country are making an impact in the lives of students. They're teaching them how to repair cars, how to weld, how to build houses, how to install electrical systems and plumbing, the list goes on and on. These educators are giving our young people tangible skills that lead to great jobs after high school graduation.

Skilled trades teachers are heroes, and it's time to recognize them. If you're a skilled trades teacher at a U.S. public high school, please apply. And if you know a great skilled trades teacher, please forward this message to them and encourage them to apply.

Applications are open now through July 6 at hftforschoolsprize.org.