Ruth Steidinger is Finalist for State Principal of the Year

January 6, 2020

It was all screams of delight, reams of confetti and streams of tears at Olive Chapel Elementary on Dec. 19, 2019.

Olive Chapel Elementary Principal Ruth Steidinger has been named 2020 Regional Principal of the Year for the North Central Region of North Carolina by the N.C. Department of Public Instruction.

She was told there was a cultural arts performance that afternoon in order to get her to the school’s auditorium where the entire student body, plus teachers and special guests including her family, were waiting to celebrate.
And what a celebration it was! A presentation from the current state Principal of the Year and a serenade from the school chorus, plus balloons, confetti and lots of cheers.

Steidinger now is one of eight finalists for the title of North Carolina Principal of the Year, which will be announced in spring 2020. She was named the 2019-20 Wake County Public School System Principal of the Year in October.
The selection committee for Regional Principal of the Year shared that Steidinger is a compelling leader with immeasurable compassion and impact.

Steidinger has served as principal of Olive Chapel for four years. She has devoted her entire, 30-year educational career to WCPSS, beginning as a math teacher at Athens Drive High in 1989. She’s also served as Assistant Principal at Apex High, Principal of Dillard Drive Elementary, and in Central Services as Director of Literacy and in three Senior Director positions - Middle School Programs, High School Programs and Academic Programs and Support.

Steidinger holds two bachelor’s degrees – in art and in mathematics – from Meredith College; a master’s degree in education administration and supervision from North Carolina Central University; and a doctorate in educational leadership from East Carolina University. She has led numerous workshops on effective teaching, cultural literacy and growth mindset.