Lyons Township High School automotive teacher wins Harbor Freight Tools for Schools grand prize

Jordan Engelhardt, an automotive teacher from Lyons Township High School, has been named a Grand Prize winner of the 2024 Harbor Freight Tools for Schools Prize for Teaching Excellence, winning $30,000 for himself and $70,000 for his school’s program.

Engelhardt, who teaches at Lyons Township, is one of five grand prize winners. The winners teach a variety of skilled trades, including construction, carpentry, welding, automotive, agricultural mechanics, advanced manufacturing, and industrial technology. In all, 25 high school skilled trades teachers across the United States were surprised with the news that they had won a portion of the $1.5 million in cash prizes awarded today.

“What I love most about teaching is getting the opportunity to encourage and motivate students on a daily basis. I'm blessed with the opportunity to literally change the lives of young adults,” Engelhardt wrote in his prize application.

The prize, now in its eighth year, was created to recognize excellent high school skilled trades teachers. Since 2017, more than $8.9 million has been awarded to over 150 teachers and their schools’ 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.

This year there are winners from 19 states.

“We are thrilled to honor these 25 dedicated teachers who are making such an important difference in the lives of their students every day,” said Danny Corwin, executive director of Harbor Freight Tools for Schools. “They have earned this prize because they are highly knowledgeable about the skilled trades, have a deep belief in the potential of their students, and have built programs that prepare students for a multitude of opportunities after high school.”

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.

“We are extremely proud of Jordan and his constant contributions to the learning experience of our students. Thank you to Harbor Freight Tools for Schools for recognizing Jordan’s excellence and commitment to his students and our LT community,” said Dr. Jennifer Tyrrell, Principal at Lyons Township High School.