KHSD ROC Automotive Teacher Wins $100,000 from Harbor Freight Tools
Tuesday September 29, 2026
Mario Lizarraga, Automotive Collision & Refinishing instructor at the Regional Occupational Center (ROC), is a winner of the 2026 Harbor Freight Tools for Schools Prize for Teaching Excellence. He is the first-ever Harbor Freight Tools for Schools award recipient from Kern County.
The Automotive Collision & Refinishing Technology program is a one-year program that provides entry-level automotive repair training. Students gain hands-on experience in a dedicated collision repair lab, working on real automotive projects, and some are eligible for second-semester internships at local auto repair establishments.
The prize recognizes excellent high school skilled trades teachers. Lizarraga applied for the program, as he often searches for scholarships and grants to support the program.
On Tuesday, Lizarraga was surprised with a $100,000 check at the ROC & CTEC (Career Technical Education Center), with $70,000 going to ROC and $30,000 awarded directly to Lizarraga.
Earlier in the morning, Lizarraga had seen on social media that Harbor Freight Tools was visiting schools and surprising other teachers. What he didn’t know was that he was next. His colleagues kept him tucked away in a meeting while a stage was set up for the 10 a.m. surprise.
Students, staff and community members filled the quad. The stage was set with speakers, balloons, LED screens and a giant check atop a U.S. General Full-Bank tool cart with a plaque. Lizarraga’s students formed a path to the stage.
When he approached the double doors, he peered through the window at the quad and was visibly overcome with emotion. After pausing to collect himself, he opened the doors to cheers from the ROC & CTEC community.
“Over the past decade, we’ve seen that access to quality skilled trades education can be life-changing, leading to great post-secondary educational opportunities, well-paying, meaningful careers, and a work force our country desperately needs. We are incredibly grateful to all the educators who are preparing the next generation of students to be curious, engaged, and productive members of our communities, just like all of you.”
— Eric Smidt
Owner and founder of Harbor Freight Tools
“I love ROC. This is for every student that’s here.”
— Mario Lizarraga
“Mr. Lizarraga sets the bar,” Brian Miller, principal of ROC & CTEC said on stage. “He leads the way, and it is an honor, absolute honor, Mario, to have you as part of our staff here. [We] appreciate everything you’ve done to grow this program and create opportunities for your students.”
Lizarraga, who has been an instructor at ROC CTEC since 2019, thanked ROC & CTEC administration and his colleagues for their support. He said he drives to work with a smile on his face every day in anticipation of what the day will bring.
“What keeps me going every day is the students,” he shared. “If I knew that my students weren’t gonna be here for me, I wouldn’t be here for them. But it’s really about showing up for your students.”
Harbor Freight Tools for Schools cited several components of the Automotive Collision & Refinishing Technology program in honoring him with the grand prize.
“Recycling Rides” allows students to use their skills to provide no-cost vehicle restorations for families facing economic hardship. The program’s partnership with Martin Auto Color, an automotive paint distributor, helped students earn first, third and fourth place at the California SkillsUSA skilled trades competition.
Harbor Freight Tools received 569 applications from teachers across 49 states for this year’s award. Lizarraga is one of 25 public high school skilled trades teachers across the United States to receive the award. A total of $2 million in cash prizes was awarded nationwide this year. More than $12 million has been awarded to 208 teachers and their programs in the last decade.
Nico Patalinghug, a former student of Lizarraga, is now a Co-Op, or teacher’s assistant, in the program. Under Lizarraga’s mentorship, Patalinghug became the National SkillsUSA Champion in Automotive Refinishing Technology, the first-ever California student to win the title in the category. He spent many hours working with Lizarraga in preparation for the skilled trades competition.
“I feel super happy for him,” Patalinghug beamed. “He deserves it all the way through. He does so much for his students and not much for himself because he loves education for students and making them better.”
As a result, Lizarraga’s patience inspired Patalinghug to consider becoming an ROC teacher.
“I love ROC,” Lizarraga said during his speech. “This is for every student that’s here.”
By Natalie Hernandez
Natalie Hernandez joined the Kern County Superintendent of Schools as a Communications Specialist in 2026. She previously worked in Bay Area public relations, supporting education, government, health care, and nonprofit organizations. Hernandez is passionate about using storytelling to inform and engage the public.