Albuquerque, NM (KKOB) –A Hobbs teacher was recently surprised with a $75,000 check from the Harbor Freight Tools for Schools program. Erik Chavarria, a construction and engineer teacher at Hobbs Career and Technical Education Center or CTECH received the prize accompanied by his students and Hobbs Municipal Schools staff, media and family. Chavarria was named the 2026 winner of the Harbor Freight Tools for Schools award for teaching excellence. $50,000 goes to the school’s program and $25,000 is awarded to Chavarria. He was the first teacher in the state of NM to win the award which Harbor Freight began 10 years ago.
(Photo courtesy of Hobbs News Sun)
