Everyone’s a winner

West De Pere Highschool teacher Chris Glinski, recently won $50,000 through the National Harbor Freight Tools for School Prize for Teaching Excellence.

West De Pere was so excited for Glinski, they threw a huge celebration to congratulate him on Friday Oct.10. Although all eyes and cameras were on the winner, Chris Glinski only thought about how big of a win this was for the entire school.

The Harbor Freight Tools for Schools annual competition has five grand prize winners who win $100,000, and 20 prize winners who win $50,000. The Harbor Freight Tools for Schools generously gives altogether 1.5 million dollars amongst 25 trade teachers. $35,000 of the prize money goes to West De Pere high school to provide more resources and tools for the students. West De Pere High School is currently finding the best way to use that money for the school, creating a legacy project.

Chris Glinski looks forward to the legacy project, hoping it will be something that has a long lasting influence on students and the years to come.

“I really want it to have a long term impact on the students,” says Glinski. So what does it mean to be a winner? For Chris Glinski, it’s making a difference in kids’ futures. Chris Glinski teaches several classes including parametric modeling, WORX, fundamental and engineering, woods and metal classes, and CNC classes. Glinski has been teaching at West De Pere since 2005. One may ask how one person can teach so many classes. “My mom and dad were both teachers, and even though they didn’t want that for me, it was my calling,” Glinski stated.

Chris Glinski teaches several classes about the trades which are and have helped many students gain skill and passion through it. More specifically, in his Worx class, companies like Hyne Construction, Bobcat Plus, and the Vandauevel family give the students these hands-on opportunities. This leads students to have a stronger chance in finding great careers and college opportunities after high school.

Glinski says that he has seen several past students succeed in the trades, and still reaches out to him to thank him for his teaching.

“I actually got an email today from a kid who has become a very successful engineer, it makes me realize just how life changing it is”.

High school teachers work hard everyday to prepare their students for college and future careers. How they manage to do it, is through their students.

“Having love and support from my former students inspires me,” says Glinski. Even though the prize money is such a huge reward for Glinski’s hard work, “The impact you have on the kids is the biggest reward of all,” Glinski says.

Glinski plans to use the personal earnings of $15,000 to give his wife and children a scuba diving trip and use it for college funding.

Chris Glinski’s reward is not only a win for him and his family, but has made everyone at West De Pere High School proud winners as well.