Teacher Todd "Hoss" McNutt at Summit Charter Academy in Porterville got a visit Tuesday from author Ron Clark of Atlanta.

Clark liked what he saw: a class of engaged, well-behaved students

McNutt teachers robotics. His students have made news by attaching cymbals to a wheelchair for a high school student who has cerebral palsy so he can play in the band, and creating a pencil-holding prosthesis for a student without a hand.

Clark, 37, the 2001 Disney Teacher of the Year, wrote a book for teachers entitled The Essential 55 and has been on Oprah. He started The Ron Clark Academy to train teachers.

Now he's launching a nationwide teacher-of-the-year award. He brought a film crew to Porterville to catch McNutt in action.

McNutt is one of five finalists for the Great American Teacher award.

"I love coming to class on Monday because I've had all weekend to think of new ideas," McNutt said.

The winner will be announced Oct. 23 in Atlanta.