Maine East Teacher Named Harbor Freight Finalist

Maine East High School Career and Technical Education teacher Ken Adkins was named a finalist in the 2023 Harbor Freight Tools for Schools Prize for Teaching Excellence. The competitive process resulted in Adkins being named one of 50 finalists across the country.

He is now in the running for receiving one of 25 prizes totaling $1.5 million. The winners will be announced this October.

Adkins is entering his 17th year teaching in District 207. His subjects include automotives and engineering at Maine East.

"Mr. Adkins is incredibly deserving of this honor," said Dr. Melissa Pikul, Maine East principal. "He develops learning partnerships with students in spaces that foster autonomy and critical thinking, and he inspires students daily by making their skill development come to life as he makes constant connections to industry and future career opportunities. Students have a safe learning environment to make mistakes and challenge themselves to find solutions with Mr. Adkins' support."

As a finalist, he is one of just two finalists from Illinois in the competition.

"Having been named a Top 50 finalist is an incredible honor," Adkins said. "I believe it validates the rigor of our curriculum. I am proud to embrace these learning opportunities so that students can practice developing the skills to work through obstacles and grow stronger in a supportive and collaborative environment."

Harbor Freight began in 2013. The organization started the Tools for Schools prize in 2017 with a mission to "advance excellent skilled trades education in public high schools across America." Each year the organization awards more than $1 million to teachers and schools.

Five Grand Prize winners will each win $30,000 with an additional $70,000 going to their program, for a total of $100,000. Twenty additional prize winners will each receive $15,000 with $35,000 going to their program, for a total of $50,000.