FOLSOM, Calif. — A Folsom High School teacher was surprised in his classroom Tuesday morning with a check for $50,000.
Andrew Bias, a social science and industrial technology instructor in the Folsom Cordova Unified School District, was awarded $15,000 and his skilled trades program will receive $35,000 from Harbor Freight Tools for Schools, a private foundation founded by Harbor Freight Tools owner Eric Smidt, which aims to advance trade education in U.S. public high schools.
Smidt distributed $1.5 million across 25 trade teachers and their programs in 2024, the school district said.
“What this check will do is help fund the program and resources to help students pursue their dreams,” Bias said.
Around age 14, Bias began gathering manufacturing experience in his father’s machine shop, according to the school district. He reportedly spent nine years in the HVAC industry training mechanics after serving in the U.S. Marine Corps.
He began teaching in 2011 and started his career and technical education (CTE) program in 2018, the FCUSD said. It grew from two sections to seven, and it established a three-course pathway including an honors option, the school district said in a press release.
The district said students in his introductory class have their choice of working in carpentry, sheet metal, welding and machining. Honors students pursue their own passions, including HVAC and plumbing, and Bias tailors academic and career plans for each senior, the school said.
The Folsom Cordova Unified School District said:
- From 2023-2024, Bias’s program has seen a 20% increase in student sign-ups.
- The number of female students has grown to 30% overall, the highest in the region.
- Three of Bias’ students won gold at the SkillsUSA California, a nonprofit and state conference, in computer numerical control (CNC) categories.
- Since 2017, Harbor Freight Tools for Schools has awarded more than $8.9 million to over 150 teachers and their schools’ programs.
- In 2024, there were more than 900 applications for the prize, and there are winners from 19 states.
Folsom Cordova said Bias’ first student success story centers on a young woman who joined his manufacturing program as a senior after taking his world history class as a sophomore. She went on to join the Harbor Freight Fellows program and earned 160 hours of welding experience, the district said.
This student reportedly now works at Siemens, the automation company, in their railcar production facility.
“Bias meant a lot to me for the four years that I’ve been here,” said Cody Coleman, a Folsom High School senior. “He’s a great mentor. I’m passionate about welding and metal cutting with CNC machines that shape metal with a program we design."
