KAUKAUNA, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – A Kaukauna High School teacher is now celebrating after being named the winner of a $50,000 teaching prize.
Dan Van Boxtel, who teaches automotive technology, is one of 20 winners throughout the nation.
Van Boxtel took in all the emotion after being surprised by a visit from his family and a special award.
“You do what you do every day because you love to do it, and you don’t expect something like this,” said Van Boxtel.
What he wasn’t expecting was a $50,000 check from the Harbor Freight Tools chain of stores.
“I tell my wife, ‘I’m not going to work; I’m going to school — I’m going to do what I love to do,’” said Van Boxtel.
Van Boxtel tells FOX 11 his intention every day of his 22 years at Kaukauna has been to help his students become better versions of themselves.
“The kids keep me young. Every time I think I can retire, no, I can’t, because I got to keep up with them.”
This year’s Harbor Freight Tools for Schools prize drew a record 768 applications from all 50 states. It also included three rounds of judging.
A Harbor Freight representative says Van Boxtel’s willingness to help all students was what caught the judges’ eyes.
“If I could bring some financial resources to the district to buy some equipment for my students in this shop, I was all for it,” said Van Boxtel.
Van Boxtel says it’s an extensive application process. Staci Sievert, one of last year’s winners, agrees.
“It’s about 40 hours of work,” said Sievert.
Sievert is an industrial technology teacher in Seymour, where Van Boxtel previously worked as an associate principal.
“I’ve known Dan a long time as a colleague and have come to Kaukauna to see his program. He’s the right man for the prize.”
Kaukauna High School’s skilled trades program will receive $35,000.
“I’m looking to update some of my tire-changing equipment and have a little more equipment that’s more relevant to what’s out there in the industry right now,” said Van Boxtel.
With his money, he says he’s going to take his wife on a nice vacation.
“Kind of never thought I’d see a day like this,” said Van Boxtel.
Van Boxtel was the only teacher from Wisconsin who won this year.
