He’s someone who is passionate about his trade and has passed it down to his students.
But the way that Joel Smith has done so at Lincoln Tech in Melrose Park has been special – and it’s the reason that he’s earned a major honor.
This welding instructor was named the Ankin Law and WGN Teacher of the Month for April 2025. On April 24, Attorney Howard Ankin presented Joel with the award in front of a dozen students in his classroom.
Eddie Amaya, who has been learning from Smith over the past few months, nominated him for the honor not only for his skills but the way in which he teaches the trade. The mix of expertise and motivation with compassion sets him apart from others in the field.
For winning the award, Smith receives $1,000 from Ankin Law, which he has chosen to donate to Guide Dogs of America. He’s the eighth teacher to receive the honor from our law firm and Channel 9 during the 2024-2025 academic year.
You can learn more about this award-winning teacher in the video.
