Ruth P. Nelson,
Fauquier County Public Schools, is the principal of Taylor Middle School. She began her career in education in 1975 as a choral and general music teacher for Prince William County Public Schools. Mrs. Nelson traveled between Woodbridge Middle School in Woodbridge, Va., and Parkside Middle School in Manassas, Va., teaching music for the next 15 years. In 1990, she moved to Fauquier County Public Schools and was promoted to assistant principal at Taylor Middle School in Warrenton, Va., a position Mrs. Nelson held for four years. She assumed her current position in 1994. While at Taylor Middle School, she has received the Fauquier County Public Schools Employee of the Quarter Award in 1992, the Fauquier Business & Professional Woman’s Association - Business Woman of the Year Award in 1995 and the Make It Happen Performance Award in Education Technology in 2000. Mrs. Nelson holds a BME degree from Madison College in Harrisonburg, Va., an MEd degree in school administration and an MEd degree in curriculum and instruction, both from George Mason University in Fairfax, Va.