An auto repair teacher at a public high school in California was called out of class to a gymnasium, where he was announced as a grand prize winner of an education award carrying $100,000 (about 140 million won). Seventy percent of the prize money goes to the school's career and technical education program.
Gregory Kraus, who teaches automotive technology at Amistad High School in Indio, was named a grand prize winner of the 2026 Harbor Freight Tools for Schools Prize for Teaching Excellence on the morning of the 29th of last month, according to recent reports by the New York Post and NBC Palm Springs.
A school official pulled Kraus out of his classroom mid-lesson, saying a budget discussion was needed, and a counselor took over his students. Instead of a budget meeting, the gymnasium he was directed to held students waiting for him.
The students greeted Kraus with high-fives, and a large check for $100,000 was unveiled. "This program is my passion," Kraus told local media. "I just wanted to make a positive difference for students, one at a time."
The prize was created in 2017 by Harbor Freight Tools founder Eric Smidt to support career and technical education (CTE) teachers and programs at U.S. public high schools. The program, run by the Smidt Foundation, has awarded more than $10 million since 2017, and this year, marking its 10th year, it increased total prize money to $2 million. Applications were accepted from March 3 to May 1.
There are 25 winners, five of whom receive the grand prize. Of the $100,000 grand prize, $30,000 (about 42 million won) goes to the teacher personally and $70,000 (about 98 million won) to the school's technical education program. The remaining winners receive $75,000, with $25,000 going to the teacher.
Kraus took auto repair classes in high school. With a young daughter to support in his senior year, he went straight into the auto industry, working in the field for about 15 years, including a stint at Honda. Wanting to do work that helped others, he considered teaching at his mother's urging. The lack of a college degree was an obstacle at the time, but he confirmed that industry experience could qualify him as a career and technical education teacher. He later earned a master's degree in educational administration at California State University, San Bernardino, and has taught at Amistad High School for the past nine years.
Kraus applied for the prize every year after becoming a teacher but never made it past the first round of screening. In this year's application, he detailed the career paths graduates took after leaving the school and cases where they established themselves using their skills. Graduates work at companies including Tesla, Toyota and Boeing.
Kraus plans to use the prize money to buy newer vehicles, diagnostic equipment and repair tools, so students can practice in an environment similar to the industry sites they will enter after graduation. Purchases will be decided in consultation with students. Reports did not say how he plans to use his personal $30,000 share. He told students the program belongs to them, as does the equipment.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), there were about 825,800 automotive service technician and mechanic jobs as of 2025, with 32% at automobile dealers and 15% self-employed. The median annual wage that May was $50,620, with the bottom 10% earning less than $34,660 and the top 10% more than $81,790.
The BLS projects employment in the occupation will grow 5% from 2025 to 2035, above the 3% average for all occupations. It expects about 66,200 job openings a year, many of them from workers changing jobs or retiring. The BLS said workers in the field typically complete an automotive service program and then receive on-the-job training, with high schools, community colleges and technical schools offering such programs.
Danny Corwin, executive director of Harbor Freight Tools for Schools, said in this year's prize announcement that the shortage of skilled trade workers in the United States is worsening and that the role of high school trade teachers has become increasingly important.