Dos Pueblos High Teacher Wins $50k in National Contest

By edhat staff

A Dos Pueblos High School teacher has won $50,000 in a nationwide contest for Teaching Excellence in Skilled Trades.

Industrial Arts teacher Chris Mollkoy was one of the fifteen prize winners to earn $35,000 for the high school program and $15,000 for himself in the 2020 Harbor Freight Tools for Schools Prize for Teaching Excellence. Three grand prize winners were awarded $30,000 for themselves and $70,000 for their school.

The national hardware store chain announced on Thursday the teachers and schools that won more than $1 million in prize money out of 600 applications from 48 states.

“This year has been one of the toughest on record for skilled trades teachers as they switch between in-person, remote or blended learning—all while trying to do their life’s work of preparing the next generation of tradespeople,” said Danny Corwin, executive director of Harbor Freight Tools for Schools. “At a time when tradespeople are more essential than ever, so is trades education. We are honored and grateful to have the chance to shine a spotlight on these teachers’ amazing work.”

The Harbor Freight Tools for Schools Prize for Teaching Excellence was started in 2017 by Eric Smidt, the founder of national tool retailer Harbor Freight Tools, to recognize outstanding instruction in the skilled trades in U.S. public high schools and the teachers who inspire students to learn skills to prepare for life after graduation.

Mollkoy previously taught high school English before starting his own finished carpentry company. He returned to education as an Industrial Arts teacher offerings his construction knowledge while partnering with local organizations to work on community projects.