Quint Dunlap, automotive teacher at Pinecrest High School, has been named a winner of the 2024 Harbor Freight Tools for Schools Prize for Teaching Excellence, winning $15,000 for himself and $35,000 for his school’s program.

Mr. Dunlap is one of 25 public high school skilled trades teachers across the United States who were surprised with the news that they had won on Oct. 8, 2024. A total of $1.5 million in cash prizes were awarded.

“The best part of teaching is being a mentor and positive role model for my students. I strive to create a supportive environment where students feel valued, respected, and empowered to pursue their passions,” Dunlap wrote in his prize application.

The winners teach a variety of skilled trades, including construction, carpentry, welding, automotive, agricultural mechanics, advanced manufacturing, and industrial technology.

The prize, now in its eighth year, was created to recognize excellent 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 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.

“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.”

The Harbor Freight Tools for Schools Prize for Teaching Excellence was started in 2017 by Eric Smidt, owner and founder of Harbor Freight Tools.

“Our future will be built by the students in today’s skilled trades classrooms,” Smidt said. “We appreciate the outstanding teachers who are preparing the next generation of skilled trades professionals across the United States.”

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.