RIVERTON, Utah — Blair Jensen, a welding teacher at Jordan Academy for Technology and Careers – South Campus, has been named a winner in the 2022 Harbor Freight Tools for Schools Prize for Teaching Excellence.

Jensen wins $50,000 for the award with $35,00 going to his program. Jensen has taught at Jordan Academy for the past four years. He was a finalist for the award in 2019 and 2021.

He is one of 20 winners nationwide. The overall winners came from 15 states: Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Mississippi, Missouri, North Carolina, Nebraska, New York, Oregon, Utah, Washington and Wisconsin.

What is Harbor Freight Tools for Schools?

The purpose of Harbor Freight Tools for Schools is to provide a better understanding, support and investment in skilled trades education in public high schools around the country.

“We cannot overstate the impact that high school skilled trades teachers are having in the classroom,” said Danny Corwin, executive director of Harbor Freight Tools for Schools in a news release. “Hands-on skilled trades classes are making a comeback. And we couldn’t be prouder to celebrate the accomplishments of these remarkable teachers and their programs.’’

The winning teachers came from different skilled trades, including automotive, construction, carpentry and welding.

According to a news release, the 2022 winners came from 768 applications from all 50 states. There were also three rounds of judging to help determine the winners.

“We deeply appreciate the work skilled trades teachers do to prepare and inspire our next generation of tradespeople,” said Eric Smidt, the founder of national tool retailer Harbor Freight Tools, which launched the teacher award in 2017. “Their work is urgently needed. Because while our country’s need for building and repairs is growing, our skilled trades workforce is shrinking.”

Read more:

• Delta teacher named 2023 Utah Teacher of the Year
• Utah teacher picked for NASA-affiliated teacher-training program

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