Prize Honors Hesperia Educator’s Impact in Construction and Carpentry
Kurt Chapman Sultana High School (Courtesy HUSD)Hesperia, California (Times Media Service) – A construction and carpentry teacher at Sultana High School has brought national attention to Hesperia after being named a winner of the prestigious Harbor Freight Tools for Schools Prize for Teaching Excellence, earning a total of $50,000 for both himself and his school’s skilled trades program.
Kurt Chapman, long admired locally for his hands-on approach and deep commitment to the future of the High Desert workforce, is one of only 25 teachers across the nation to receive the 2025 prize, which honors educators who equip students with essential trades skills. Chapman will be surprised with the award on Tuesday morning, September 30th, at a special ceremony at Sultana High School attended by students, staff, and community leaders.
Chapman’s success is about more than teaching construction basics—it’s about empowering students to find prosperity and pride in America’s workforce. The Sultana trades program will receive $35,000 to expand training opportunities, purchase new equipment, and connect students directly with real-world job sites. Chapman will personally receive $15,000 in recognition of his career devoted to strengthening the region’s skilled trades pipeline—a path deeply valued by conservatives seeking practical educational options in public schools.
Elevating Trade Education
Chapman’s program at Sultana High isn’t your typical classroom—his curriculum is aligned with the nationally respected Building and Industrial Trades Academy (BITA), as well as the Carpenters Union, allowing graduates to transition seamlessly into well-paid local jobs without accruing the debt or uncertainty sometimes associated with college pathways. Hesperia Unified School District Superintendent Dr. Michelle Smith said, “Mr. Chapman puts into action the district goal of preparing students for college and careers. He not only develops directly employable skills, he develops teamwork, dedication, and the soft skills that all students need for success in their futures. He connects his students beyond the classroom to networks within the building industry, impacting not just his students, but the whole community”.
In 2024, Chapman launched a five-week internship with area contractors, sending 12 students to job sites across the High Desert to explore concrete career options. This real-world approach exemplifies the conservative belief in letting schools develop productive citizens through hands-on learning, not just academic theory.
School Board President Eric Swanson expressed his appreciation for Mr. Chapman, stating, “The school board is very pleased with the accomplishments of our Career Technical Education (CTE) programs. Mr. Chapman is helping lead the effort to prepare today’s students for tomorrow’s world.”
Local leaders have long pushed public schools to offer practical career programs, and Chapman’s achievements are a win for parents and taxpayers investing in proven results. Award programs like Harbor Freight Tools for Schools—funded by The Smidt Foundation—channel resources directly into classrooms where young people gain immediate job skills and industry connections.
Honoring Excellence and Community Commitment
Chapman’s recent accolades further cement his leadership. In addition to this national honor, he was the recipient of the 2022 Mountain Desert Career Pathways High Desert CTE Teacher of the Year, 2025 MDCP High Desert CTE Program of the Year, and 2025 California Homebuilding Foundation Instructor of the Year awards. His teaching model and mentorship have prepared dozens of Sultana graduates for solid careers in construction, carpentry, and allied trades.
Tuesday morning’s ceremony at Sultana High included the check presentation as well as remarks by district officials. Chapman and his program stand as a testament to the district’s success in connecting education directly to the needs of the local and national workforce.
Investing in America’s Trades: Prize Details
Harbor Freight Tools for Schools, a program underwritten by The Smidt Foundation and supported by Harbor Freight Tools owner Eric Smidt, will distribute a total of $1.5 million this year to 25 teachers nationwide—sending a clear message about the dignity and necessity of the trades in a modern economy. The initiative 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,” according to program materials.
For communities in the Inland Empire, this recognition reflects core values: honor for work done with one’s hands, opportunity without crushing college debt, and a high school system that delivers real results for families, businesses, and taxpayers.
