Recognition

Being a school principal is among the toughest jobs, a virtual high-wire act juggling children of differing abilities, teachers, parents and a regulatory load that would fell an elephant.

When someone does this job well, they deserve the public's gratitude. A sizable check doesn't hurt, either. It is fitting that Madrona K-8 Principal Kaaren Andrews receive both.The principal, in her fourth year at Madrona, has been selected by the Seattle School District to receive the Thomas B. Foster Award for Excellence for outstanding leadership. Accompanying the honor will be a check for $50,000. The money is privately funded.

Andrews' selection speaks favorably on so many levels. For one, the Central Area school, which is 74-percent black, receives public recognition for something other than its struggles.

Second, the award is validation of Andrews' unapologetic focus on Madrona's disadvantaged students. One year ago, several parents pulled their kids out of the school, citing disillusionment with her leadership.

Seattle Times reporter Lornet Turnbull depicted their exit as the challenge of public schools to attract and retain middle-to-upper-class families while increasing efforts to help low-income students.

Time proved Andrews right. Madrona is making impressive gains. Seventh-grade writing scores on the Washington Assessment of Student Learning rose nearly 30 percent over the past two years. In reading, 74 percent of fourth-graders are at grade level. Writing and math scores have risen.

It's easy to say all children can learn; it's more difficult to make it happen, as Andrews has done.

The Thomas B. Foster Award for Excellence is in honor of a former Seattle attorney and founder of the Foster Pepper law firm. When Foster died in 1999, community members created a fund to recognize outstanding principals.

Another spot of good news: Past winners, Chief Sealth High School Principal John Boyd and Meany Middle School Principal Princess Shareef, will receive an additional $25,000, to bring their total awards to $50,000 each.