GULFPORT, Miss. (AP) — For nearly 15 years, Robert Caylor has taught Gulfport High students how to repair cars and watched as they started careers as mechanics all over the Coast, but on Oct. 14, he was rewarded in a different and surprising way.

Caylor got $50,000 from the Harbor Freight Tools for Schools Prize for Teaching Excellence. The prizes honor skilled trades teachers at public schools around the country. Caylor is one of just 18 winners nationwide, selected from more than 600 applicants this year.

Caylor learned he had won in a surprise ceremony at school. Students lined the hall out...