Amanda Ramos - Principal

Amanda Ramos is honored to be entering her second year as principal of Bussey Middle School. In her first year, Bussey achieved a remarkable 14-point gain in its TEA Accountability rating, which is a testament to the hard work, dedication, and collaborative spirit of the entire Bussey Nation community.

Mrs. Ramos has proudly served Garland ISD for 22 years. She began her journey as a paraprofessional, then became a classroom teacher, followed by an assistant principal, before stepping into the role of principal in 2019. Each step in her career has deepened her understanding of the educational landscape and shaped her into the strong, student-focused leader she is today.

Her principalship began at Back Elementary School in 2019, just prior to the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite the many challenges that followed, her steadfast leadership and the dedication of her staff led the school to great success. Back Elementary earned an "A" rating from the Texas Education Agency for the 2021–2022 school year, a 5-point increase from its pre-COVID score, recognized personally by Commissioner Mike Morath.

Following her time at Back, Mrs. Ramos spent two years leading Sellers Middle School, where she helped drive improvements in academic achievement, student attendance, engagement, and overall campus culture. Her commitment to fostering a welcoming and empowering environment for both students and staff was key to that progress.

Now in her second year at Bussey Middle School, Mrs. Ramos remains passionate about creating a school where every student feels seen, supported, and inspired to succeed. She is proud to continue serving the Garland ISD community and looks forward to another year of growth and excellence at Bussey.

 Brandi Dawson - 6th Grade Assistant Principal

Brandi Dawson is an accomplished educator with a passion for fostering learning and growth. With over 20 years of experience in the field, she has made a significant impact at both the elementary and secondary levels. Brandi’s journey began with an undergraduate degree from the University of Texas at Arlington, where she honed her skills and developed a deep understanding of education.

Driven by her commitment to public education, Brandi pursued a master's degree in library & information science from Texas Woman’s University. Her expertise extends beyond the classroom, as she has also taken on district administrative roles for the past 10 years. Her leadership and dedication have positively influenced countless students and fellow educators.

Outside of her professional life, Brandi has been married for 7 years and shares her home with two incredibly spoiled mini–Austrian Shepherds. When not immersed in education, she can be found enjoying the outdoors, staying activity through sports, or traveling with friends & family.

David Gibbons - 7th grade Assistant Principal

David Gibbons is a motivated educator with a steadfast commitment to educational leadership and equity. He earned his Bachelor’s degree in Secondary English Education from Oklahoma State University, followed by a Master’s degree in Educational Leadership from the University of North Texas. He is currently pursuing a Doctorate in Educational Leadership at the University of North Texas. David has over seven years of experience within Garland ISD, where his journey began as a dedicated RLA teacher, followed by a role as a CTE instructor before assuming the position of Assistant Principal at Sam Houston Middle School.

Throughout his career, David has focused on inclusive and equitable educational practices. His passion lies in implementing systemic approaches that foster multicultural and transdisciplinary learning environments. He is particularly interested in cultivating partnerships among all campus stakeholders, families, and communities to ensure every student experiences a supportive, equitable, and academically-rigorous education. David’s involvement extends beyond the classroom; he has been actively involved in GISD initiatives such as the Assistant Principal Leadership Academy, Assessment Literacy Task Force, and Artificial Intelligence Task Force, all aimed at enhancing educational standards and practices.

He is currently serving as a Lead Middle School Assistant Principal for GISD, where he works with district leadership and other assistant principals to create positive change within the educational landscape. His vision centers on creating environments that celebrate diversity, promote cultural inclusivity and uphold high academic standards. Through his leadership, David strives to empower students to become active contributors to society, fostering both personal growth and cultural representation.

David is excited about his role as Assistant Principal for Bussey Middle School and is committed to diligently serving the students, staff, and families of BMS!

Tamara Coleman - 8th grade Assistant Principal

Tamara Coleman is honored and excited to re-introduce herself to Bussey Nation, as she joins the team as an Assistant Principal for the 2025-2026 School year. She is eager to get to know and support each of our amazing students as we strive for continued academic growth and success.

She brings with her 20 years of experience in education, including 9 years of campus leadership. Throughout her career, her mission has always been to serve, support, and empower both staff and students in creating an environment where learning thrives and everyone feels valued.

A little about her personally, she is married to her charismatic husband of 20 years, and a proud mom of two amazing sons. While they do not currently have pets, there have been serious talks in their house about adding a puppy to the mix! Outside of work, you can usually find her curled up with a good thriller, enjoying a wide range of music, binge watching the ID channel, cheering on her favorite team (Go Saints! Whodat!), or making memories with my family. She loves a good joke and a hearty laugh, to help bring a sense of joy and connection in any space.

She is genuinely looking forward to reconnecting and building relationships with each parent, student, and staff member. It is her hope that together we can continue to make Bussey Middle School a place where both staff and students grow and excel.