Hesperia Unified School District Teacher Honored for Inspiring Next Generation of Builders
Kurt Chapman Sultana High School (Courtesy HUSD)Hesperia, California (Our Hesperia) – A Hesperia educator is about to receive national recognition for his dedication to teaching the skilled trades. Kurt Chapman, construction and carpentry teacher at Sultana High School, will be surprised with a $50,000 award honoring his commitment to preparing students for careers in the building industry.
A Sultana High School construction and carpentry teacher is set to receive one of the nation’s highest honors for skilled trades education. On Tuesday, September 30, Kurt Chapman will be surprised with a $50,000 award from the Harbor Freight Tools for Schools Prize for Teaching Excellence.
Chapman, who has dedicated his career to preparing young people for careers in construction, has been selected as one of just 25 teachers nationwide recognized in 2025. As part of the award, $35,000 will go directly toward supporting Sultana High School’s skilled trades program, and Chapman will personally receive $15,000.
Dr. Michelle Smith, Superintendent of Hesperia Unified School District, praised Chapman for his dedication, emphasizing how his teaching reflects the district’s mission of preparing students for future success. “Mr. Chapman not only develops employable skills in his students, but also instills teamwork, dedication, and the character traits needed to thrive in life,” Dr. Smith said.
Over the years, Chapman has built a respected program aligned with the Building and Industrial Trades Academy (BITA) and Carpenters Union curriculum, ensuring students transition smoothly into apprenticeships or jobs after graduation. Last year, he and his colleagues developed a five-week internship program that gave students hands-on exposure to local construction job sites across the High Desert.
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 to lead our district’s initiatives to support student success.” Swanson added, “Our district’s plan is to prepare today’s students for tomorrow’s world.”
This is not Chapman’s first recognition. He was previously named the Mountain Desert Career Pathways Career Technical Education Teacher of the Year and was honored in 2025 as California Homebuilding Foundation Instructor of the Year.
The award comes amid a growing national conversation on the importance of skilled trades. With many industries facing worker shortages, advocates stress that strengthening technical education and apprenticeships supports both students and the economy. Harbor Freight Tools for Schools, the nonprofit behind the award, has spearheaded efforts to elevate the dignity and value of careers that keep communities building and working.
For Hesperia, Chapman’s recognition is both a point of pride and a reminder that the trades remain a critical pathway for local youth. His work not only echoes conservative calls for expanding opportunities beyond four-year college degrees, but also highlights how schools can partner with industry to prepare students for well-paying, in-demand jobs.
The official award presentation took take place Tuesday, September 30, at 10 a.m. during a surprise ceremony at Sultana High School.
