Jordan Engelhardt was teaching his morning automotive class at Lyons Township High School Tuesday morning when principal Jennifer Tyrrell stopped by to inform him the garage doors to his classroom needed to be opened for a safety check.
But when the doors went up, he saw a crowd of people cheering. Moments later, he was surprised with the top award in the 2024 Harbor Freight Tools for Schools Prize for Teaching Excellence.
“I am speechless,” Engelhardt said, after receiving a giant check and toolbox. “I had zero idea of what was happening here. I just want to say ‘thank you’ to Harbor Freight Tools for Schools. … I’m feeling really blessed, I feel very honored to have the opportunity to give back to our students.”
Engelhardt became a little emotional, pausing before saying, “first things first. Lyons Township High School, thank you for giving me the opportunity to do all these awesome things.
“I come up with all these weird, crazy ideas and you guys help me apply those crazy ideas. I’m just really appreciative of all the things you’ve done for me. Students, and I’ve said this a million times, you guys are the backbone of this entire program. Without you, none of this stuff happens.”
Those students were only too happy to share in the celebration of Engelhardt.
“This is great,” junior David Cundiff said. “He’s a great teacher and I look forward to his class every day. I can’t think of anyone who more deserves this.”
Another junior, Cornelio Hernandez, agreed with his classmate.
“It’s good for him and for us, too,” he said. “He misses out on a lot of time with his family and his personal life.
Principal Tyrrell couldn’t have been happier.
“This is awesome,” she said. “I’m appreciative, proud, and happy for Jordan and his family. Anytime you can win a national level award and have recognition for the hard work and impact you have on a program and on students and the trajectory of lives, it’s such a big deal.”
Along with winning a substantial toolbox, Engelhardt and the school were awarded $100,000, with $30,000 going to Engelhardt and $70,000 going to the LTHS program in which he teaches.
The Tools for Schools prize is administered by the Smidt Foundation, named for Eric Smidt the founder of Harbor Freight Tools, with a mission to promote, support, and invest in skilled trades education in public high schools. Annually, the Foundation awards $1.5 million in prize money to 25 outstanding teachers in the United States.
Since the program’s inception in 2017, it has awarded $8.9 million to over 150 teachers throughout the nation. This year’s winners come from 19 different states. Of the 25 winners, only five are awarded Grand Prizes, and Engelhardt is the first Grand Prize winner from Illinois.
U.S. Rep. Jesus “Chuy” Garcia was part of a crowd of about 100 people on hand to congratulate Engelhardt.
“There are 100 members of the U.S. Senate, but only 25 teachers like you,” he said, before drawing a laugh saying, “You’re the first in Illinois to receive this award, so Abe Lincoln would be proud of you.”
Danny Corwin, executive director of Tools for Schools, noted that the application process for the prizes was rigorous, and a total of 906 were submitted this year.
“To be able to recognize Mr. Engelhardt today and the over 100-plus teachers around the country that are doing phenomenal work is an honor,” Corwin said.
Hank Beckman is a freelance reporter for Pioneer Press.
