And right in my own backyard. Ballard High School Principal Phil Brockman has won an award that will bring $50,000 to his school.

Brockman is the recipient of the Alliance for Education’s Thomas B. Foster Award for Excellence, which recognizes one Seattle Public Schools secondary school principal every year for outstanding leadership. In Brockman’s case, his fantastic work boosting student WASL achievement.

From 2005 to 2008, the number of 10th-graders passing the WASL's reading section at Ballard High improved from 77 percent to 88 percent. Writing jumped from 67 percent to 95 percent. In math, 53 percent of 10th-graders passed in 2005 and 65 percent passed in 2008. And science scores rose from 44 percent to 53 percent.

Brockman, who was given a surprise award presentation last Thursday morning, has been the principal at Ballard High since 2004, according to the Seattle P-I. He was West Seattle High School's principal from 2000 to 2004, and has been with Seattle Public Schools for 26 years.

Congrats to Brockman and his outstanding team!