Fifty U.S. public high school skilled trades teachers were named as finalists today for the Harbor Freight Tools for Schools Prize for Teaching Excellence. A total of $1.5 million in cash prizes will be awarded in the fall when the field is narrowed down to 25 winners.  

More than 1,000 teachers applied this year from 49 states and Washington D.C.

The list of finalists is available here.

The Harbor Freight Tools for Schools Prize for Teaching Excellence was started in 2017 by Harbor Freight Tools owner and founder Eric Smidt. The prize recognizes outstanding instruction in the skilled trades in U.S. public high schools and the valuable work of teachers who inspire students to learn a trade that prepares them for life after graduation. This is the ninth year for the prize.

“Our country is relying heavily on these outstanding teachers to educate and prepare the next generation of skilled trades workers. We are always inspired by their stories and we are grateful for the work they do every day across the United States,” said Danny Corwin, executive director of Harbor Freight Tools for Schools. 

With this year’s prize, Harbor Freight Tools for Schools will have awarded more than $9 million to more than 180 U.S. public high school teachers and their skilled trades programs – supporting tens of thousands of students along the way. 

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 finalists were selected by an independent panel of judges with expertise in career and technical education. Applications are accepted from U.S. public high school teachers in the following skilled trades areas: agricultural mechanics, carpentry, construction, electrical, HVAC, manufacturing, plumbing, transportation mechanics and repair, and welding. During the application process the teachers watched a learning module focused on implementing ideas and best practices on Artificial Intelligence in their skilled trades classroom. The judging process included a review of their responses about how they plan to use AI in the future. 

The 2025 finalists now advance to a second round of the application. Two additional rounds of judging, each by separate independent panels of reviewers, will narrow the field to 25 winners and, finally, name the five grand prize winners of the group.

The five grand prize winners will each receive $100,000, with $70,000 going to their high school skilled trades program and $30,000 to the skilled trades teacher behind the winning application. The 20 additional winners will each be awarded $50,000, with $35,000 going to their high school skilled trades program and $15,000 to the skilled trades teacher. Winners whose school, district and/or state policy prohibits receipt of the individual portion of the prize award were eligible to apply on behalf of their schools’ skilled trades programs. If they win, the entire share of the prize will be awarded to their programs.

Winners join a nationwide network of outstanding skilled trades teachers who convene throughout the year, including at a four-day, in-person summer convening called “Let’s Build It,” to share best practices and develop new ideas to advance high school skilled trades education.