Chris Glinski, an industrial technology teacher at West De Pere High School in Wisconsin, has been awarded a $50,000 prize for his contributions to skilled trades education. Glinski is one of 25 educators nationwide to receive the 2025 Harbor Freight Tools for Schools Prize for Teaching Excellence, which recognizes outstanding instruction in career and technical fields.
The award provides $35,000 to the high school's technical education program and a $15,000 personal prize for Glinski. The funds are intended to support and expand opportunities for students pursuing careers in high-demand trades.
Key Takeaways
- Chris Glinski of West De Pere High School won a $50,000 national teaching award.
- The prize allocates $35,000 for the school's skilled trades program and $15,000 for Glinski personally.
- He is one of 25 teachers recognized by the Harbor Freight Tools for Schools program in 2025.
- The award highlights the importance of skilled trades education in addressing workforce shortages in Wisconsin.
A National Award for Excellence in Teaching
The Harbor Freight Tools for Schools Prize for Teaching Excellence is a national initiative designed to celebrate and support skilled trades instructors in U.S. public high schools. For 2025, the program is distributing a total of $1.5 million among 25 winners across the country.
Mark Clark of Harbor Freight explained the program's objective. "The mission of Tools for Schools is to increase understanding, support and investment in skilled trades education in U.S. public schools," he stated. "We believe every student, across America, deserves the opportunity to learn about skilled trades from an excellent teacher."
Over Two Decades of Dedication
Chris Glinski, the son of a technical education teacher, has been an educator at West De Pere High School for more than 20 years. In his role as a teacher and the Career and Technical Education (CTE) department head, he has been instrumental in shaping a program that prepares students for post-graduation success.
For Glinski, the award serves as confirmation of his team's efforts. "I guess some justification that we're doing good things around here and that our kids are having success based off of the program that we have cultivated here," he said. He emphasized that the recognition is a validation for what he and his teaching partners accomplish.
Program by the Numbers
- 20+ years: Glinski's tenure at West De Pere High School.
- 3 points: Average ACT score increase for students in his program compared to peers.
- 93,000+: The estimated shortfall of skilled-trades workers in Wisconsin.
Impact on Students and the Community
Glinski's teaching style and dedication have earned him high praise from his students. His approach is seen as both supportive and effective in providing practical guidance.
"He's a pretty good teacher. He treats everybody like friends, but he also knows when to give guidance and helps everybody out as much as they can when they don't know what they're doing."
The industrial technology program at West De Pere offers a wide range of disciplines, including welding, machining, automotive, engineering, drafting, and woods. This comprehensive curriculum provides students with a variety of pathways into the skilled trades, whether they plan to enter the workforce directly, begin an apprenticeship, or attend college.
Students in the program also have opportunities to earn early college credits through partnerships with the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay and Northeast Wisconsin Technical College, giving them a head start on their higher education goals.
Addressing a Critical Workforce Gap
The award recognizes Glinski's role in helping to close a significant skills gap in Wisconsin. According to reports, the state has a shortage of more than 93,000 skilled-trades workers. Employers in construction and manufacturing frequently identify this labor shortage as their most significant challenge, making programs like the one at West De Pere essential for the state's economy.
Future Investment in Technical Education
The prize money arrives at a pivotal moment for the school's technical education department. In April, district voters approved a referendum of nearly $10 million specifically for expanding and improving the tech ed program. The additional $35,000 from the award will further enhance these planned upgrades.
Glinski has not yet decided on the specific use for the prize money, stating he wants to collaborate with his department to ensure it delivers the greatest benefit to students. "To name something right out of the gate it would be probably not fair for the program or for the kids or for all of us to just put it on the spot but it guaranteed we'll have a positive impact for the kids," he explained.
Personal Recognition and Previous Honors
In addition to the funds for the school, Glinski received a personal prize of $15,000. The Pulaski native mentioned he might use the money for a family scuba diving trip to celebrate his son's upcoming graduation.
This national award is the latest in a series of accolades for Glinski. He was previously a finalist for the Golden Apple Award for Excellence in Teaching and has been nominated for the Wisconsin Technology Education Association Educator of the Year and the Kohl Fellowship, underscoring a long career of recognized excellence.
