When Construction Technology Instructor Lance Landis arrived at Cascadia Tech on Tuesday, he was greeted by a massive surprise – a ceremony where he learned that he had won a $100,000 grand prize in Harbor Freight's Tools for Schools Teaching Excellence program. The entire Cascadia Tech community conspired to keep Mr. Landis in the dark while staging a huge surprise ceremony for Mr. Landis, who was one of five grand prize winners nationwide.
Lance is among 25 winners nationwide of the 2026 Harbor Freight Tools for Schools Prize for Teaching Excellence. In total, Harbor Freight Tools for Schools is awarding $2.0 million in prizes to skilled trades teachers and their programs.
Lance Landis teaches Construction Technology at Cascadia Technical Academy. A hands-on learner who initially struggled with traditional academy instruction, Landis found his footing as a student in machining and welding. Landis operates his classroom like a professional contracting business by emphasizing rigorous safety standards, craftsmanship, and teamwork.
About the Harbor Freight Tools for Schools Prize for Teaching Excellence
This year there are winners from 18 states, including: California, Colorado, Idaho, Iowa, Kansas,
Massachusetts, Michigan, Montana, New Mexico, North Carolina, North Dakota, Pennsylvania,
South Carolina, South Dakota, Texas, Wisconsin, Washington, and Vermont.
The 25 winners teach a variety of skilled trades, including construction, carpentry, electrical, welding, automotive, agricultural mechanics, advanced manufacturing, and industrial technology. The total amount awarded this year increased from $1.5 million to $2 million to mark the 10th anniversary of the prize. More than 550 teachers applied from 49 states.
The prize was created to recognize excellent high school skilled trades teachers, a group of educators who are frequently overlooked and underappreciated. As of today, over $12 million has been awarded to 208 teachers and their programs through the prize. The mission of Harbor Freight Tools for Schools is to increase understanding, support and investment in skilled trades.
About Harbor Freight Tools for Schools
Harbor Freight Tools for Schools is a program of The Smidt Foundation, established by Harbor Freight Tools owner and founder Eric Smidt, to advance excellent skilled trades education in U.S. public high schools. With a deep respect for the dignity of these fields and for the intelligence and creativity of people who work with their hands, Harbor Freight Tools for Schools aims to drive a greater understanding of and investment in skilled trades education, believing that access to quality skilled trades education gives high school students pathways to graduation, opportunity, good jobs, and a workforce our country needs. Harbor Freight Tools is a major supporter of the Harbor Freight Tools for Schools program. For more information, visit: HFTforschools.org
HARBOR FREIGHT TOOLS FOR SCHOOLS, THE SMIDT FOUNDATION and HARBOR FREIGHT TOOLS FOR SCHOOLS PRIZE FOR TEACHING EXCELLENCE are registered trademarks owned or licensed by The Smidt Foundation.