Bearinger awarded grant for ‘Teaching Excellence’

By Hunter Mauldin / The Nugget  ---------------  Last Tuesday, instead of being in the shop classroom, Jeff Bearinger was sent to a local hardware store for supplies. While there, he took his time finding his things and catching up with one of his former students whom he ran into, leaving for the school about 30 minutes later than he planned.
During that time, at Lumpkin County High School, faculty, staff, family, and students all gathered under the ceiling of the large tin overhang behind the school. They were all awaiting the arrival of Mr. Bearinger, who was surprised with a $50,000 grant, for he was selected as a recipient of the Harbor Freight Tools for Schools Prize for Teaching Excellence.
Created in 2017 by Harbor Freight founder Eric Smidt and The Smidt Foundation, the Tools for Schools Prize is a national award that recognizes outstanding instruction in the skilled trades in public high schools as well as the teachers who inspire their students to learn trade skills. Bearinger was one of 20 finalists among a pool of over “750 applicants,” according to Lauren Gomez, Regional Manager of Harbor Freight. Through three rounds of consideration from a committee of philanthropists, educators, and industry leaders, Harbor Freight Tools for Schools determined Bearinger to be among the most worthy of the award. A total of $35,000 will be directed towards the school, funding the carpentry and CTAE program even more. The remaining $15,000 will go towards Bearinger himself.

TEACHER FOR THE PEOPLE

For Bearinger, this award is emblematic of the work he has done over the course of his career to prepare students for trade careers after graduation, and faculty and students alike all agree.
“For our school, it's a big deal to be recognized because this is a national award,” said Principal Billy Kirk, as he pointed out that Bearinger’s work in the classroom benefits not just the students, but the community as well.
“This is where he builds Habitat [for Humanity] houses. This is the start of house number 5,” said Kirk, gesturing to the collection of wood boards and foundation behind him in the back-lot. The Habitat House project is just one facet of Bearinger’s professional career that made him eligible for such a distinction.
His hard work and genuine passion for teaching has left quite the impression on students at LCHS.
“He really cares about his students and makes everyone feel really welcome,” said Lucy Owens. Though not pursuing carpentry as a profession, Owens still appreciates what she gets out of Bearinger’s classroom.
“I just think it's a good skill to have, and having a good teacher to teach you those skills is also a great thing to have,” she said. Wyatt Pielow, who is planning to pursue carpentry after high school, agrees. “He’s one of the best teachers here because he actually shows that he cares about his students,” he said, “He’s willing to have fun… He always gets the job done at the end of the day.”

FAMILY MAN

Attending the surprise ceremony for Bearinger was his entire family, who were there to support him. Elizabeth Davis, Bearinger’s daughter, was there with her three children alongside his wife Darlene and other extended members of the family. As a teacher, husband, father, and grandfather, Bearinger has inspired many with his dedication to his career.
“He really deserves it,” said Darlene, “He truly loves what he does. He gets up for work and he truly loves being in this building and with his students, and it makes him a very powerful teacher and mentor to the students around him.”
The family was hopeful for the opportunities this grant would net for the carpentry program. “They build a Habitat house every year…he takes kids to state and national competition with SkillsUSA, that all requires money,” said Davis.

INSPIRING MINDS

As Bearinger pulled up to the back of the school and exited his car, bags in hand, he was greeted with the smiling faces and applause of the over 200 students, faculty and staff, and family members that had come out to show their support. Due to his slight tardiness, the crowd was so amped from anticipation that they could not even wait for the surprise to be revealed before showering him in congratulations. After Gomez and Kirk presented him with a gigantic check, Bearinger was visibly in awe. His kind words to the crowd emanated in echoes underneath the tin overhang. “I just want to say thank you to my students,” he said, “What an honor to teach each one of you every day. You all have a special bond in my heart and always will.” Bearinger continued his speech, giving a very Bearinger-esque explanation for his lateness.
‘As a matter of fact, at Home Depot I just ran into one of my former students-that’s probably why I was late,” he said to the audience’s laughter, “He was talking about himself and how he’s very successful, and when you see success, it just means so much as a teacher to see a student do something on his own… So thank you to the administration, the teachers I work for…Thank you so much.”
Bearinger's speech was succeeded by roaring applause from the crowd before him, echoing again off of the tin ceiling that covered the foundations of his ongoing Habitat House project.