Osceola County School District 2013 Gaylord Palms Teacher of the Year Nanci Brillant is in the running today as a finalist for the 2013 Macy’s/Florida Department of Education teacher of the year award.

Brillant, the reading and college readiness teacher at St. Cloud High School, is one of five finalists for the award. The winner will be announced at a reception tonight at the Hard Rock Live at Universal CityWalk in Orlando.

The winner is selected on the basis of an outstanding ability to teach and communicate knowledge of the subject taught, professional development, philosophy of teaching, and outstanding school and community service. The winner also must show a superior capacity to inspire a love of learning in students of all backgrounds and abilities.

Education Department Chancellor Pam Stewart, along with Joyce Griffith, surprised Brillant at her school in front of her students at an assembly on May 1 vice president-store manager for Macy’s.

Upon receiving the news, Brillant was presented with a $5,000 check made possible by the Macy’s Foundation and a $500 Macy’s gift card.  A $1,000 check, also funded by the Macy’s Foundation, was presented to St. Cloud High School.

This year’s five finalists were chosen from more than 180,000 public school teachers throughout the state by a Department of Education-appointed selection committee representing teachers, principals, parents and the business community.