Jordan Engelhardt, 14-year automotive teacher at LT, was one of the grand prize winners for the Harbor Freight Tools of Excellence for Teachers Excellence award.

“We worked hard over the past 14 years to create an environment of professionalism, become nationally accredited, and win several different awards,” Engelhardt said. 

The award is an annual award recognizing outstanding skilled trades teachers in U.S. public high schools. It is designed to shine a light on excellent skilled trades education and build a network of exceptional trades teachers. A total of $1.5 million was awarded to 25 different trades teachers across the country. Engelhardt won $100,000, $30,000 for personal use, and $70,000 for improvements to the automotive program.

“[Engelhardt] treats us like young adults, differing from other teachers,” Miranda Bavtijari ‘26 said. “I am going to stay in the automotive program next year, I know this award will give me more opportunities and possibilities.” 

There were over 900 applications for the prize. The application process included three rounds of judging. The panel of judges were experts in education, industry, non-profits, or philanthropy. 

“We will be able to self-fund the automotive program and give students real-world, tangible, and hands-on experiences building hot rods every single year,” Engelhardt said. 

Engelhardt is still debating exact plans for the awarded money to the school. However, part of his goal is to build a factory five kit car every year, spending about $40,000 to $45,000 on it. The program would then sell it for about $65,000, keeping the profit to purchase new tools, floors, lifts, and other resources, becoming a fully self-sustained program. He spent his personal winnings on a new vehicle for his family. 

“The LT program provided me with many opportunities to work hands-on and learn many things about the automotive world,” former student of Engelhardt Anthony Thomas ‘24 said. “It helped me to build my portfolio, allowing me to continue my education in the Automotive Restoration program at McPherson College.” 

The program has constantly improved and expanded its resources, Thomas said. During his time at LT, the program purchased three new cars and parts to modify them.

“It’s exciting, about one out of every eight students walking in the halls are enrolled in some automotive or metal fabrication class,” Engelhardt said. 

At the beginning of Engelhardt’s career at LT, the automotive program had seven classes; it now has grown to 20. Additionally, enrollment in the program has almost tripled.

“I want to make a lasting impact on the automotive curriculum and in the school,” Engelhardt said. 

Currently, students of Engelhardt are fixing up a 2010 Volkswagen minivan, originally given to Engelhardt in poor shape. Once the car is fully repaired, Engelhardt plans to donate it to a family in need within the community. Other projects students are working on include restoring a 1929 all-metal Model A Hot Rod, an eight-foot Twin Turbo Lamborghini invented Go Kart, Ferrari 360 Go Kart, and motorizing a digital pinball machine. 

“I loved cars for as long as I can remember,” Engelhardt said. “My dad and my grandpa had sports cars; I loved the sound, the feeling, the adrenal rush when accelerating.”

At 14, Engelhardt started a lawn mowing business to save up to buy his own car. Eventually, when he was 16, he bought, sold, and repaired three cars. With these profits, he bought a 1990 Mitsubishi Eclipse, furthering his interest. 

“He is a fun and silly teacher who keeps us engaged; he always has some sort of story to tell the class,” student of Engelhardt Cooper Komsthoeft ‘25 said. 

Engelhardt sponsors Auto Club, ESports Club, and Pinball Club. He was also named one of Autoweek Magazine’s 30 & under: “Stories of a changing car culture, as told by those who are living it now.”

“I want to give all glory for this award to God, for allowing me to do the things he has gifted me with, talents he has given me, and be in an environment where I get to live out my life in a dream world scenario,” Englehardt said.