Jefferson Elementary School Principal Beth Olson has been named the Fargo Public Schools 2026 Administrator of the Year. FPS Superintendent Dr. Cory Steiner made the surprise announcement today at Jefferson.
Olson has served as an educator in Fargo Public Schools since 2012 and has been the principal of Jefferson Elementary School since 2019. She began her education career in 1991 as a private school elementary teacher in Grand Forks and was a public school teacher in Grand Forks from 2003-2012. She came to FPS in 2012 and was a second and fourth grade teacher at Kennedy Elementary School from 2012-16, a student performances strategist at Kennedy for the 2016-17 school year, and was the dean of students for Lewis & Clark Elementary School from 2017-19.
In November, Olson and Jefferson Elementary School celebrated its multi-year journey to being removed from the state’s school improvement list. Jefferson’s staff, led by Olson, worked diligently to improve the school’s performance and were removed from the list. Her nominators say she approached this challenge with transparency, compassion, and unwavering determination. Her leadership not only improved measurable outcomes, but strengthened the culture, confidence and collective efficacy of the entire school.
Olson’s colleagues say she strengthens the diverse school community by forming authentic relationships with students, staff, and families and ensures everyone feels welcome and safe. She embodies kindness, patience, empathy, and compassion and creates an atmosphere where those around her feel valued and respected. She takes every opportunity to lift up the students and staff at Jefferson and to celebrate their victories, large and small. She and the staff recognize students throughout the school year with rewards and certificates for hard work, good behavior, student leadership and excellent attendance.
Not only does Olson fulfill the FPS mission of educating and empowering all students to succeed, she educates and empowers all staff as well. Members of Jefferson’s staff say she ensures they feel supported and she is dedicated to helping them grow as educators. She collaborates with her colleagues to ensure that the unique needs of each learner are addressed with care, precision, and consistency. The collective mission of the Jefferson staff is to be “all in” for all students, all the time.
Olson holds a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education from Mayville State University and a Master of Educational Leadership from North Dakota State University. She has also completed the North Dakota Coaches Academy training and holds a North Dakota principal’s credential. In the past year, she has been a YWCA Women of the Year nominee; a finalist for the Elementary School Principal of the Year by the North Dakota Association of Elementary School Principals; and received the Champion for Children Award from Families United for Self-Empowerment.
Olson follows South High School Assistant Principal and Activities Coordinator Mike Beaton as the District’s recipient of the Administrator of the Year honor. The Fargo Public Schools Administrator of the Year award has been presented within the District for 13 years. The honor is regularly bestowed as part of the District’s annual Staff Recognition Program. The District also annually recognizes a Teacher of the Year and a Support Staff of the Year.
