Physics teacher Mark Misage was surprised in his Westlake High School classroom with balloons, flowers, a check and cake March 10 after being named a finalist in the H-E-B 2016 Excellence in Education Awards.

Misage received a $1,000 check for himself and a $1,000 check for the school.

He was named a finalist for the Lifetime Achievement Secondary award and is invited to compete in San Antonio on May 12-13 with 39 other finalists for a number of larger cash prizes totaling $430,000.