From the Clarke County School District: David Darden, an automotive technology teacher at Cedar Shoals High School, has been named a winner of the 2024 Harbor Freight Tools for Schools Prize for Teaching Excellence, winning $50,000 for the school’s auto tech program.
Mr. Darden is one of 25 public high school skilled trades teachers across the United States — and the only one in Georgia — who were surprised Tuesday, Oct. 8, with the news that they had won. A total of $1.5 million in cash prizes were awarded to teachers across a variety of skilled trades, including construction, carpentry, welding, automotive, agricultural mechanics, advanced manufacturing, and industrial technology. 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.
“Fostering a learning environment where everybody has the opportunity to learn and grow, regardless of their background or experience level, is crucial,” said Mr. Darden, a previous finalist for the prize who is in his 15th year at Cedar Shoals after retiring from a 35-year career in the automotive industry. “By sharing my passion, knowledge, and skills for the trade, I aim to inspire others to pursue careers in the automotive industry.”
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.
“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.”
“We couldn’t be more proud of the work Mr. Darden does everyday with our students and are thrilled to be able to celebrate him on a national stage as well as in front of his students,” said CCSD Superintendent Robbie Hooker. “Many thanks to Harbor Freight Tools for Schools for recognizing and supporting Mr. Darden and Cedar Shoals’ automotive program.”
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