SEAN BOSTON
Hutch Post
HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Jeremiah Harmon, welding instructor at Hutchinson Career & Technical Education Academy, has been named the Allen Samuels Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram Teacher of the Month for April.
Harmon was surprised with the award Monday afternoon and honored with a gift basket, as well as a pizza and ice cream party. The award was presented by Don Glaspie and Cris Schul from Allen Samuels and Ashley Weve with EAGLE Media.
He was nominated by substitute teacher Michele Hansen, who praised the environment Harmon has created in his classroom.
“As a sub, I appreciate a class that has high expectations and love from the teacher,” Hansen said. “The students treat me with so much respect, kindness and appreciation I just have to sub in his class. I do not have to monitor, discipline or deal with any negative behaviors because Mr. Harmon has modeled to the students how one should behave, perform and follow through.”
Harmon credited his students for the honor.
“This isn’t a me, this is a we,” Harmon said. “All I did was create an opportunity for them to impress somebody, and they did. It was a substitute who noticed their behavior and put in for the award. That says a lot about them.”
Harmon’s welding class operates with a strong emphasis on career readiness. Students work at their own pace with individual assignment sheets and receive immediate, hands-on feedback in the lab.
“I treat it like we’re at work,” Harmon said. “Class starts at 8, so I’m ready at 8. The students are expected to be, too. It’s about preparing them for the real world.”
Originally from West Virginia, Harmon said he learned welding out of necessity. After serving in the Army as a machinist, he moved to California and worked in the welding trade. A shortage of skilled labor on a major bridge project in the Bay Area made a lasting impression.
“When I saw a major bridge project needing Canadian welders because we didn’t have enough here, it hit me: if we’re short on skilled workers, we need teachers,” Harmon said. “That’s when I knew I wanted to teach.”
Now in his 15th year of teaching, Harmon said he continues to be inspired by his students’ potential.
“One of you could be welding in outer space,” Harmon told his class. “And who says it can’t be you?”
