Last fall, when Joe Ruhl, a Jefferson High School biology teacher, learned he was one of 30 educators in North America up for a prestigious award, he was surprised.

Now that he is one of three finalists for the Shell National Science Teaching Award, given annually by the National Science Teaching Association to honor innovations in science teaching, he doesn't know how to feel.

"I've been told we may find out next week who the one science teacher is who is going to represent the country and parts of Canada," Ruhl said, "and I'm thinking, 'Come on. You've got to be kidding.' This has kind of blown me away."

Ruhl was nominated last August, which began a process he called "grueling." First came the paperwork -- an assortment of personal information, including his r?sum? and a summary of his teaching philosophy. Then he had to create a DVD of himself.

The process concluded Thursday when Ruhl spent the day being shadowed by a group of judges who observed and conducted interviews with students, parents and colleagues.

Ruhl didn't tell his students about the honor until it came down to the final 10 candidates late last year. Ruhl said the students were almost as ecstatic as he was.

"What warmed my heart the most is how excited the kids have gotten," Ruhl said.

Freshman Joe Ensign said Ruhl's energy and adaptability are what he likes best.

"He's very energetic, no matter what the situation is," Ensign said. "He just goes with the flow."

Ruhl first developed a love of science as a fourth-grader watching the television show "Lost in Space."

"I soon realized science fact is a lot more interesting than science fiction," Ruhl said.

His classroom is a testament to that belief. From the aquariums lining the shelves to the 300-gallon fish tank filled with largemouth bass, his classroom is a biologist's playground.

Principal Jeff Studebaker, whose children had Ruhl as a teacher, said Ruhl "is exactly what we want our teachers to be: Innovative, dedicated and compassionate.

"His strength is in his ability to not only create an amazing learning experience for his students but to get near universal buy-in from his students," Studebaker said. "His students learn and succeed because they want to for him."

As a finalist, Ruhl will receive an all-expenses-paid trip to the National Science Teaching Association conference, which this year takes place in Indianapolis.

"They offered to pay for my airfare," Ruhl said with a laugh.

The award comes with $10,000, but Ruhl said he hasn't thought much about that. It's enough, he said, just to be nominated.

"They can't go into every classroom in the country and examine every teacher. We have to keep things in perspective."

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Lafayette Jeff biology teacher 'blown away' by nomination