Celebrating RPS Retiree Chris Olson

A legendary 35-year career in RPS is coming to a close as we celebrate the retirement of Chris Olson. Chris has truly done it all across the District, shaping young minds in Kindergarten, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th grades at both Centennial and RIS/R-STEM, while also leading on the courts as the Girls’ JV tennis coach and the Boys and Girls Co/Head Varsity tennis coach.

A South Minneapolis native and proud Washburn High and Augsburg College alum, Chris’s favorite RPS memory is a classic: "Staying overnight with my Centennial fourth grade class at the Science Museum in the dinosaur exhibit during a field trip."

Known just as much for his sharp wit as his classroom dedication, Chris’s hobbies include trying to "arm wrestle random people at dollar stores, look busy at home when my wife is watching, review the state standards, and continuously encourage my two sons to follow up on job applications."

His post-RPS schedule looks just as colorful. In retirement, Chris intends to keep busy as a "night shift bouncer at the Eagan Popeyes, lunch hour Perkins 'one trick pony' magician, slam poetry judge, baby food taste tester, and left-side only body builder."

Thank you, Chris, for 35 incredible years of teaching, coaching excellence, and bringing endless humor to our halls. We wish you a retirement filled with great adventures, relaxation, and plenty of laughter!

We are grateful to all of our retirees for their dedicated service and contributions to Richfield Public Schools. Each retiree featured on our website and social media channels was contacted individually and chose the level of recognition they preferred. Not all retirees opted to be recognized.