Friday, November 7, 2025
Bay View High School staff were sworn to secrecy ahead of a surprise announcement this fall planned by Harbor Freight Tools. Several Harbor Freight staffers, along with Bay View principal Jeffery Gaddis and Superintendent Brenda Cassellius, delivered the exciting news that teacher Michael Driscoll was one of five grand prize winners in the Harbor Freight Tools for Schools Prize for Teaching Excellence.
Out of more than 1,000 entries nationwide, the field was narrowed to 50 finalists. Of those, 20 were selected as prize winners, earning $50,000, and five were named as grand prize winners, earning $100,000. The cash awards are split between the school and teacher, with the school receiving 70 percent and the teacher receiving 30 percent.
Driscoll teaches industrial technology, including Project Lead The Way. He credits his dad and his grandfather for teaching him handyman skills, how to use tools, and how to improve his world. Later, he discovered how to incorporate computerized design and tools to mix tradition with innovation. In his classes, he emphasizes design, critical thinking, testing, and problem solving. His students become skilled in the use of high-end tools and gain the confidence to tackle challenges.
As part of his application, Driscoll shared, “There is a kind of magic in creating something from nothing, and it is a privilege that I get to pass this trick on to each student that enters my class. It is empowering and enriching to be part of that kind of journey and metamorphosis in a person’s life.”
Congratulations, Mr. Driscoll! You make us #MPSProud!