He didn't expect to be an agriculture teacher. Nor did he expect the $50K he won after inspiring Visalia students.

Travis Wyrick had to get creative teaching the hands-on trade of agriculture during the coronavirus pandemic.  

Wyrick oversees students working on independent plumbing projects while keeping up with others earning certifications online. 

He also keeps busy working on projects at his shop in Visalia Technical Early College High School. That’s where Wyrick was when he learned he won $50,000 for himself and his students as part of a contest recognizing excellent teachers. 

“I was stunned,” Wyrick said. “It was not the phone call I was expecting to get.”

The Harbor Freight Tools for Schools contest recognizes outstanding instruction in high school skilled-trade programs and the teachers inspiring students to learn a trade.  

Wyrick came on the radar of the contests’ judges and experts after he became one of 600 instructors in 48 states to apply for the Teaching Excellence award from national tool retailer Harbor Freight Tools. Several other finalists each won cash, ranging from $1,000 to $100,000. 

“This year has been one of the toughest on record for skilled trades teachers as they switch between in-person, remote or blended learning — all while trying to do their life’s work of preparing the next generation of tradespeople,” Danny Corwin, executive director of Harbor Freight Tools for Schools, said in a statement. 

“We are honored and grateful to have the chance to shine a spotlight on these teachers’ amazing work.”

Becoming an agriculture teacher 

Wyrick didn’t know he wanted to be an agriculture teacher until he was a student at California Polytechnic University, San Luis Obispo. 

His mentor, Larry Shuklian, asked him why he wasn’t taking education courses. 

And Wyrick — who had enjoyed his high school agriculture classes with his teacher, Lynn Martindale — suddenly knew what he wanted to do.

Wyrick has now been teaching for 12 years, with the last two in Visalia. 

“A large collection of the families, students and folks who have been raised here have always had some connection to agriculture,” Wyrick said. 

“It’s a huge livelihood, and my shop gets to connect to all of the mechanical aspects” of the many careers and related industries, he added. 

How the $50K prize helps students 

Wyrick teaches plumbing, concrete work, welding, engines, hydraulics and fabrication at his shop.

“I like to think this is a place for kids to tryout different careers, skills and find something that interests them,” he said. 

As part of his $50,000 award, Wyrick will personally receive $15,000. The skilled-trade program at Visalia Technical Early College High School will receive the rest.

“(The money) creates an ease of mind knowing it’s available to students for projects,” Wyrick said. “We want to try to get some projects out at home or for future years.”

Wyrick had to demonstrate his experience as an agriculture teacher to qualify for the Harbor Freight Tools for Schools prize.

He was required to respond to a series of questions and learning modules so that judges could get insight into his approach to teaching and success in helping students achieve excellence in the skilled trades.

“Many of the students in their classes today will become the workers who keep our critical-care infrastructure, our communication networks, our homes and cars up and running,” Eric Smidt, the founder of Harbor Freight Tools, said in a statement.  

“The prize is our way of saying thank you to their teachers,” he added. 

To learn about the other award winners, visit here. 

Contact education reporter Kristan Obeng at KObeng@gannett.com. Follow her on Twitter @KrissyObeng.

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