Hillsborough Superintendent MaryEllen Elia's peers think she's doing swell. The Florida Association of School Administrators has honored her with the Lamp of Knowledge award.

Elia was recognized for giving teachers their largest raises in 20 years. (That was last year's 10 percent raise, but all the more interesting in light of today's spirited debate about whether this year's 8 percent raise can really be called so generous when teachers are having to work longer hours.) Also highlighted: Elia's work with state leaders on a performance pay plan (another sore spot with some teachers) and her collaboration with national leaders on the reauthorization of No Child Left Behind. Plus, people apparently were impressed that the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation has chosen Hillsborough for a project on addressing the achievement gap.

Elia was nominated by School Board Chairman Jack Lamb, who received the award in 2003.