Amanda Ramos - Principal

Amanda Ramos began is honored to be 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 dedicated her career to serving Garland ISD. 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 third 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.

Maryam Abdul-Jabbar - 6th Grade Assistant Principal

I am excited and honored to continue serving the Bussey Middle School family as an Assistant Principal and proud member of Bussey Nation! My career in education began in Port Arthur, where I had the privilege of serving students as an ESL/English teacher. Since then, I have served in a variety of educational roles, working with students from elementary school through graduate-level programs in Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, and Texas. Most recently, I served as an Assistant Principal Intern at Bussey, where I had the opportunity to work alongside our amazing students, staff, and families while supporting campus systems, instruction, student success, and school culture.

One of the most important parts of my leadership is creating a school environment where relationships, trust, and teamwork are at the heart of everything we do. I believe students thrive when they know they are cared for, challenged, and supported by the adults around them. I am committed to helping build a campus culture where teachers feel valued, students are encouraged to grow both academically and personally, and families feel welcomed, connected, and confident in the work we are doing together.

Outside of school, I enjoy spending time with my family and staying active. I love to swim, and you can usually find me near a body of water whenever possible! My family is my greatest blessing. I have been married to my husband for 22 years, and we have three boys who amaze me, surprise me, and teach me something new every day.

I am truly honored to serve the Bussey community in this new capacity. I look forward to continuing our work together to build a positive, supportive, and high-achieving culture for all students. I am proud to be part of Bussey Nation and excited for the journey ahead!

Matthew Love - 7th Grade Assistant Principal

I am excited to join the Bussey Middle School family and become a part of the nest! I have dedicated my career to serving students as a teacher, coach, and educational leader I have served as an Assistant Principal in Terrell ISD and most recently at Sellers Middle School in Garland ISD.

I am passionate about building strong, positive relationships with students, staff, and families. I believe meaningful connections are the foundation of a successful school and that every student deserves to feel valued, supported, and empowered to succeed. Creating and maintaining a positive school culture is at the heart of my leadership philosophy. I am committed to fostering an environment where students are challenged to reach their full potential, teachers feel supported and appreciated, and families are welcomed as partners in the educational journey.

Outside of school, I enjoy spending time with my family and staying active. I have been married to my amazing wife, Christine since 2012.  We have one son as well as an energetic chocolate lab named Lucy. In my free time, I enjoys CrossFit, fishing, and playing golf.

I am honored to join the Bussey community and look forward to working alongside students, staff, and families to continue building a positive, supportive, and high-achieving culture. I am excited to be a part of Bussey Nation and can't wait to begin this journey together!

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.