Merced Union High School District

Atwater High School teacher Shelby Fishman was named a 2025 Harbor Freight Tools for Schools Prize for Teaching Excellence on Tuesday. Fishman, who was one of 25 high school skilled trade teachers across the country to earn the honor out of over 1,000 who applied. She was awarded $50,000 during a surprise ceremony on Tuesday morning. “I run my shop budget under $1,000 a year,” Fishman said. “So if you can imagine, this is going to be just extraordinary. My students will be excited just to come to shop.”

 

Atwater High staff did its best to keep the award and Tuesday’s ceremony a surprise. Fishman said she felt something was off when she didn’t receive any staff e-mails the past two days and it was odd when none of the ag teachers came to talk to her today. When it was time for the ceremony, school activities director Nathan Braga announced over the intercom for Fishman to get up out of her seat and walk outside. Fishman was then escorted by Atwater principal Alexie Parle through the halls with students and staff lined up on either side, cheering Fishman as she walked to the stage. It’s what Atwater High calls their “Walk of Fame.”

 

“The fact that my campus rallied for me,” Fishman said. “That was a cool moment, a shocking moment, a surreal moment. A moment that I just lived in and I still can’t believe I just lived through that. The fact that, especially some of my seniors, who were specifically outside of my door, and the grins that they gave me were so fun. It was like they were rooting for me. They know that I’m always in their back pocket and now I know they are in mine.”

 

Fishman, who has taught at Atwater High for 13 years, teaches the small engines pathway at Atwater. It’s a class that teaches students about identifying, maintaining and repairing small engines found in machines like lawnmowers and motorcycles and includes hands-on training. Fishman integrates electrical, hydraulic, pneumatic, and fuel systems to prepare students for modern industry demands. She says she plans to make upgrades to her shop, including new toolboxes for her students with the prize money.

 

Every one of her students earns at least one industry certification and they have the opportunity to earn more certifications in OSHA-10, Equipment &  Energy Training Council and Briggs & Stratton certifications. “She's super dedicated, even being a mom, like she still makes time to be a mom but when she's here at school it's all business,” said her husband Daniel Fishman, who is an ag teacher at El Capitan High. “Her students are like her kids too.”

 

Atwater High principal Alexie Parle says the school and her students benefit greatly from having Fishman on campus. “She brings an unmatched level of expertise, energy, and commitment to her students’ success,” Parle said. “Beyond teaching technical skills in mechanics and agriculture, she pushes students to develop leadership, teamwork, and problem-solving abilities through FFA competitions and hands-on learning. Her students consistently excel at the state and national levels, which reflects not only her high standards but also her ability to inspire confidence and excellence in young people.”

 

Fishman is also an adjunct professor at Merced College and her advanced engines students can early dual enrollment credit. Fishman has also made an effort to increase the female participation in her class and the percentages have gone from 4% to 16%. “Shelby has been intentional about making her classes and pathway welcoming and inclusive for all students, including young women who may not have traditionally seen themselves in mechanics or agriculture,” Parle said. 

 

Fishman earned her A.S. in agricultural science from Merced College and then her B.S. in agricultural science with an emphasis in agricultural education from CSU Chico. She is currently pursuing her masters degree at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, focusing on high-quality hands-on education in skilled trades. Fishman received the California Agriculture Teacher’s Association “Teacher of Excellence” Award in 2024. Fishman is an advisor in Atwater’s FFA program, and a coach for the school’s FFA career development event teams. 

 

Harbor Freight Tools for Schools awarded $1.5 million in prizes to 25 skilled trades teachers across the country on Tuesday. This is the ninth year the awards have been handed out, totaling $10 million in prize money. Parle says Fishman even applying for the award shows the passion she has for her students. “Applying for such a competitive, national award takes vision and courage, and being selected from among the best CTE teachers in the country underscores her excellence as an educator,” Parle said. “It shows she is not only respected locally and across California, but also recognized nationally for the impact she makes.”

Shawn Jansen is the MUHSD Program Manager Digital Media. He can be reached at Sjansen@muhsd.org.