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Republic-Michigamme teacher in running for share of $1M prize money

By Journal Staff

REPUBLIC — An industrial arts teacher from a Marquette County high school is among three Michigan finalists In the Harbor Freight Tools for Schools 2018 Prize for Teaching Excellence.

Matthew Barbercheck, an industrial arts and computer-aided design teacher at Republic-Michigamme Schools in Republic is among 52 teachers and teacher teams across the country who were named as semifinalists vying for a share of $1 million in cash prizes, a Friday Harbor Freight press release states.

According to the release, Barbercheck’s love for hands-on applied knowledge began with a “beginning auto” class when he was a high school senior.

He now works to bring complex concepts to life for his students, like using a water balloon demonstration to show them how a stator and rotor work in an electric motor, the release states. His students have also designed and built an outdoor garden lab.

“Barbercheck encourages his students to showcase their skill by participating in statewide competitions,” the release states. “He works with local companies to bring in speakers and host visits when he takes his classes on field trips. This past year, he was named the district’s teacher of the year.”

Barbercheck along with Tina Mies, who teaches building trades at Lincoln Park High School in Lincoln Park, and Andrew J. Neumann, who teaches building trades at Bay Arenac Intermediate School District Career Center in Bay City, were chosen from among a field of more than 500 skilled trades teachers who applied for the prize.

The semifinalists — some competing as individuals and some as teacher teams — hail from 27 states and specialize in trades ranging from construction and carpentry to automotive repair, welding, advanced manufacturing and agriculture mechanics.

The field of 52 semifinalists will be narrowed to three first-place winners and 15 second-place winners. Each first-place winner will receive $100,000, with $70,000 going to their public high school skilled trades program and $30,000 to the individual skilled trades teacher or teacher team behind the winning program, the release states.

The 15 second-place winners will each be awarded $50,000, with $35,000 going to their public high school program and $15,000 to the teacher or team.

For the second round application for the prize, semifinalists will respond to a series of online expert-led video learning modules designed to solicit their insights and creative ideas about their teaching practices and how to inspire their students to achieve excellence in the skilled trades.

Each round of winners is selected by separate panels of judges independent of Harbor Freight Tools for Schools, the release states.

This marks the second year of the competition, which was started by Harbor Freight Tools founder Eric Smidt to recognize outstanding instruction in the skilled trades in American public high schools.

“Skilled trades teachers are unsung heroes,” Smidt said. “They teach our students skills that help them in life and in careers. We respect and value the men and women who work with their hands to design, build and repair homes, schools, hospitals and businesses in our towns and cities, as well as our cars, trucks and tractors. These skilled and creative workers keep our communities thriving. At the same time, there are now hundreds of thousands of great skilled trades job openings, and that number is expected to grow. We want to elevate the dignity and importance of this work by recognizing exceptional skilled trades teachers from our country’s public schools, who open the door to learning and opportunity.”

News of the prize and other information about skilled trades education will be posted on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

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