TSD automotive teacher wins $50k prize

An automotive teacher at the Texas School for the Deaf, Keith Baker, was selected as one of 25 winners of a $50,000 prize from the 2023 Harbor Freight Tools for Schools Prize for Teaching Excellence.

Baker was surprised with the award yesterday morning at TSD.

[Images showing Keith Baker being presented with a check of $50,000. He is flanked by TSD students, staff and administrators - CREDIT: Texas School for the Deaf]

Here is an interview.

Keith Baker: My name is Keith Baker. This is my sign name. I have worked at TSD for 15 years. I teach in the CTE Department. This is the auto body shop. We do collision and paint repairs.

Daily Moth: What do you plan to do with the $50,000?

Baker: I have a vision of purchasing a Cobra car kit and letting my students build it out with installing an engine, tires, painting the body, and finishing it.

Daily Moth: That’s a good idea.

Baker: It’s a cool project.

Daily Moth: Can you explain what you teach students, generally?

Baker: We teach the basics first. How to repair dents in the body, sand them, and other steps. We put a (product) on the car and sand it until it is smooth. These steps lead to a refinishing paint job. Students learn skills and on how to adjust the spray, how much paint they have to put in, and control the painting. When it’s finished, students will apply a clear coat to make it shiny and they’re done.

Daily Moth: Wow, these skills…

Baker: For example, can you see the hoods behind me? That’s their project. They were dented at first and they did the process of refinishing it. The students came up with the ideas for the painting and when we’re finished, we hang them up.

Daily Moth: Very nice. It looks like a professional job!

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Daily Moth: You’re a teacher, but I’m curious if you do anything on the side, such as your own business or other type of work?

Baker: Yes. On the side, I love to work on old cars, classic cars. I do this at home. I also race cars. Not at the NASCAR level, though! I race cars as a hobby.

Daily Moth: That’s cool.

[Image of Baker receiving a check - CREDIT: Texas School for the Deaf]

Baker: We are the “first” Deaf school to receive this Harbor Freight Tools award. I hope other Deaf schools apply for the award and win it.

Daily Moth: It’s nice of you to think of others. Thank you so much, Keith Baker. Nice to meet you and congratulations on winning $50,000!

Baker: Thank you.