Flathead High School auto teacher surprised with $50,000 prize

More than 20 people showed up to Flathead High School Tuesday morning to surprise automotive teacher Rob Hunter with $50,000 from the Harbor Freight Tools for Schools program. 

After the third-period bell rang, the group of students, administrators, school board members, Kalispell City Councilor Chad Graham and U.S. Rep. Ryan Zinke gathered and walked across the street from the high school to the auto shop carrying balloons and banners into his classroom. 

Hunter is one of 20 skilled trades teachers nationwide, and the only Montana teacher to receive the award. Of the $50,000, $35,000 goes to the FHS skilled trades program and $15,000 goes to Hunter.  

“What I love most about teaching is watching my students grow from beginners to highly skilled professionals after graduation. I love to hear about their success in the skilled trades,” Hunter wrote in his application. 

Hunter was one of 906 applicants. The selection process included three rounds of judging.    

“Clearly, Mr. Hunter deserves something a little better than a trophy to serve your students in this classroom for many years to come,” Michelle Fischer of Harbor Freight Tools said, as a U.S. General full maintenance cart was unveiled in the school colors, orange and black to applause. 

Holding up a signed Harbor Freight banner, FHS automotive students smiled broadly at their teacher as he was presented with the check. Cameron Seals, Lolita Sattler, Cameron Moffit and Mikail Stephan are some advanced automotive students who have taken Hunter’s classes for the past three to four years. There was no hesitation when asked if Hunter was a deserving teacher. 

“Yes,” they said in unison. 

“This program has helped us figure out our careers and what we want to pursue,” Seals said.   

“His lessons will stick with us for a very, very long time,” Moffit said. 

Students who participated in the presentation were unaware of what was going on until right before.   

“We thought we were in trouble going down to the office and they’re like, guess what, your teacher just won $50,000,” Seals said with a laugh. 

Hunter said he doesn’t know yet what he will purchase with the money. Once he submitted the application, he didn’t want to dwell on whether or not he would be selected. 

"I didn’t want to think too much about it,” he said. “We don’t get new tools very often. So having all this stuff will mean that kids don’t have to wait for tools and don’t have to share between classes." 

The announcement was a big surprise to Hunter, whose wife, mother and brother were able to attend the presentation. Hunter said he only expected to get an email.  

“I had no clue,” he said. 

This was the second year he applied to Harbor Freight Tools for Schools competition. The first time he applied was a hurried process to meet the deadline. This year, he carved out time to polish his responses and a video required in the application.  

“I saved all that information and went over it really well and put a good effort in this year,” he said, with responses totaling roughly 18,000 words. 

In addition to teaching, Hunter serves as a career and technical education department leader at FHS. 

Skills students learn are aligned with National Automotive Technicians Education Foundation, SkillsUSA and Montana state standards. Many of his past students have gone on to work in the automotive industry, including within the Flathead Valley.  

Students in introductory classes work in pairs on structured small engine projects with written instructions, learning to assess, diagnose, and test engines.  

More advanced students tackle complex engines individually, following provided sequences and specifications without written directions. In Automotive 3, students work on car engines, researching sequences and torque specifications, and demonstrating progress at specified intervals. By their fourth year, students are largely self-directed, working on challenging projects such as engine replacements, and exhibiting technician-level skills. 

During summer 2023, a few of his students showcased a completed 1928 Model A at a Kalispell car show that was decades in the making. Through the years, students worked on the project disassembling and rebuilding it into a hotrod as time, interest and money became available. 

Advanced students may also participate in SkillsUSA competitions. Past students have earned three gold medals, three silver medals and a bronze medal in SkillsUSA competitions since 2021.  

Harbor Freight Tools for Schools seeks to advance excellent skilled trades education in U.S. public high schools and promote a greater understanding of, and investment in, skilled trades education as one graduation and career pathway. In addition to the $50,000 awards, five grand prize winners received $100,000. Winners teach a variety of skilled trades, including construction, carpentry, welding, automotive, agricultural mechanics, advanced manufacturing, and industrial technology.   

“We believe that every student across America deserves to be in a great program with an amazing teacher like Rob,” Fischer said. “We believe that access to quality skilled trades education gives high school students pathways to graduation, college, great career and a workforce our country desperately needs.”   

For more information about Tools for Schools visit HFTforschools.org. 

Reporter Hilary Matheson may be reached at 758-4431 or hmatheson@dailyinterlake.com. 

    Flathead High School students surprise automotive teacher Rob Hunter, center, with a Harbor Freight Tools for Schools $50,000 prize on Tuesday, Oct. 8, 2024, in the auto shop. (Hilary Matheson/Daily Inter Lake)
  

    A new U.S. General tool cabinet is unveiled as part of a $50,000 Harbor Freight Tools for Schools prize awarded to Flathead High School automotive teacher Rob Hunter on Tuesday, Oct. 8, 2024, in the auto shop. U.S. Rep Ryan Zinke, right, was in attendance. (Hilary Matheson/Daily Inter Lake)