Broward machining teacher surprised with $50K check for classroom

COCONUT CREEK, Fla. ā€“ A Broward County machining teacher got a big surprise Tuesday, getting $50,000 for his program after being recognized for his work in a national contest.

Kevin Finan, who teaches at Atlantic Technical College and High School in Coconut Creek, was one of 20 teachers from across the country awarded the 2022 Harbor Freight Tools for Schools Prize.

The aim of the prize is to ā€œincrease understanding, support and investment in skilled trades education in U.S. public high schools.ā€

ā€œI wasnā€™t quite sure what was happening, because the other people came in and tricked me,ā€ Finan said.

Finanā€™s students couldnā€™t be more excited for their deserving teacher; the money goes directly toward their education.

ā€œI immediately thought he deserved it,ā€ 11th-grader Joshua Previl said. ā€œHe is a great teacher and he is going to spend it on us. Wow, that is dedication right there.ā€

Finan spoke to Local 10 News about the importance of giving his students the tools they need to be successful in the trades.

ā€œIt proves not just to me, but all trade teachers, the importance of it,ā€ he said.

Finan says he hopes to spend some of the money on a laser printer.

He said heā€™s been applying for the award for the past six years and heā€™s glad he finally won it.


About the Authors:

Alex Finnie joined the Local 10 News team in May 2018. South Florida is home! She was raised in Miami and attended the Cushman School and New World School of the Arts for high school.

Chris Gothner joined the Local 10 News team in 2022 as a Digital Journalist.