Wilson High School Principal Dan Besett has been named the best in Western Washington.

As part of KING 5’s Best in Western Washington poll series on “Evening Magazine,” Besett beat out 67 other nominated principals for this title, and received the surprise award Oct. 26.

Besett said he knew he had been nominated by choir teacher Wendy Shepard, but had no idea he had won the award until he was just a few feet from the gymnasium where his student body and family were waiting to surprise him.

“I got to maybe 10 steps from the gym door, and thought, ‘Oh, there is something going on here!’” he said.

Besett was greeted by a KING 5 news reporter and camera crews, his wife and two daughters - and deafening cheers from his student body.

“That kind of blew me away,” he said afterward.

Besett is known for his personal connection to students and his strong support for staff. He has been said to know each of his 1,300 students by name, and his commitment to recognizing student success and achievement is obvious by the wall of photographs Besett has personally taken at almost each of his students’ extracurricular events.

“He does that little bit extra to make every kid feel validated in what they do and make them feel that they are important,” said Assistant Principal Christine Brandt, who has worked with Besett for 11 years and was a student of Besett’s in eighth grade.

“The kids get to see themselves promoted (with his photographs) throughout the school when they’re active. That’s helped our school camaraderie. The kids can see the value of being involved in school.”

The modest Besett sees his extra attention to students and support to teachers simply as his leadership philosophy for providing the best scenarios for students.

“For me, I’m surrounded by a lot of talented people. My goal is to empower them to feel comfortable with trying new things,” Besett said. “I try to spend most of my time just helping in any way I can. By making the job of the teacher easier for them, they can be really focusing on their kids.”

Brandt agreed that Besett’s attention to individual students and staff has made him an effective leader and educator.

“He does what’s best for kids. He cares about every kid… every kid knows he is aware of who they are and what they bring to the school,” Brandt said.

Besett has been an educator for more than 30 years, serving a total of 12 years at the American International School in Lagos, Nigeria. He has worked as an administrator at Wilson for the past 10 years, serving as assistant principal for four years and principal for six years.