BRMS Administrative Team
Mrs. Karen Bullard, Principal
Mrs. Bullard began her teaching career in 1989 as a chemistry teacher in North Carolina. After moving to South Carolina in 2002, she taught chemistry at Camden High School, while also working toward an administration certification. In 2005, Mrs. Bullard became the Director of the Freshman Academy at Camden High School, a position she held for five years. During that time period, she earned an Education Specialist Degree from the University of South Carolina. In 2010, Mrs. Bullard became the principal of Lugoff-Elgin Middle School. She joined the Blue Ridge Middle School family as principal in 2018.
Mrs. Bullard's greatest pleasure comes from spending time with her family. Her husband, Clay, has worked in manufacturing and sales for over 30 years and is currently employed with Jonsen/AME Distribution as National Sales and Marketing Manager. They have two daughters, Peyton and Brittany. Peyton is married to Erik, and they live in NC with their two children. Brittany is married to Kyle, and they live in Greer.
Email: kbullard@greenville.k12.sc.us
Mrs. Sandra Taylor, Assistant Principal (8th Grade)
Sandra Taylor began her teaching career in 1991 as a science teacher at Blue Ridge High School. She taught all levels of Physical Science, General Science, Biology and Chemistry. She also served as a science teacher at Riverside High where she developed the Anatomy and Physiology program. Mrs. Taylor holds a Master’s Degree in Secondary Administration and has 6 years of administrative experience, serving as an Assistant Principal of Blue Ridge High School.
Mrs. Taylor’s pride and joy is her family. Her husband, Jody Taylor, is the Grounds and Terminal Manager of GSP International Airport and she has two sons. Her oldest son recently graduated from Spartanburg Community College with a degree in Horticulture and her youngest son is currently in 6th grade at Northwest Middle School. She enjoys spending time with her family camping, hiking, and gardening.
Mrs. Taylor is very excited to be joining the Blue Ridge Middle School family and is looking forward to working with the wonderful members of the Blue Ridge Community.
Email: staylor@greenville.k12.sc.us
Jay Grady, Assistant Principal (7th Grade)
My name is Jay Grady, and I am very excited to be the 7th grade administrator at BRMS. This is my 22nd year in middle school education. I am married to a wonderful woman named Holly and I have a 14 year old daughter.
Email: jgrady@greenville.k12.sc.us
Video: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1iHUzNnhLRIgKu0lJ-Ey--CQuh4Imt8_a/view?usp=sharing
William Gillette, Administrative Assistant (6th Grade)
Mr. Gillette began his teaching career in 2012 after graduating from the University of South Carolina. His first teaching position was as a social studies teacher in Sumter, South Carolina. Then next year he moved back home to Greenville and took a position at Greenville Early College. While there, he co-taught social studies and English. During that time, he became interested in administration and completed an administrative program from Clemson University. In 2017, he moved to Travelers Rest, South Carolina and became a teacher at Northwest Middle School. In 2020, he was afforded the opportunity to teach in the GCSD Virtual Program and started working on his doctorate. After a successful year virtually, he is excited to be joining the Blue Ridge Community as an administrator.
Mr. Gillette’s family is everything to him. His wife Erica works as a patient coordinator for Novus Orthodontics, and is daughter Kate is starting her first year of school. The family has two cats and a dog. In his free time, Mr. Gillette enjoys spending time with his family hiking, boating, hunting, fishing, and cooking.
Email: wgillette@greenville.k12.sc.us
Kristen Garrett, Instructional Coach (IC)
My name is Kristen Garrett, and I will be the new Instructional Coach this year! I am very excited to be a part of the Blue Ridge community! This is my first year in this role; I have taught English Language Arts in middle school for 21 years. My passion is curriculum and instruction, and I cannot wait to make an impact in this new position. My family and I relocated to Greenville a few years ago from Maryland, and we love it! I have three children; Jacob, a recent East Carolina University graduate who lives in Greenville, NC; Jordan, a recent graduate of Mauldin High School; and Mitchell, a rising freshman at J.L. Mann High School. When I am not working, I enjoy family time, the beach, musicals, and traveling to new places. I am looking forward to a new year at BRMS!!
Email: kmgarrett@greenville.k12.sc.us
Dr. Don Kauffman, Instructional Technology Specialist (ITS)
Dr. Kauffman is in his 24nd-year in education spread across the state of South Carolina from the coast in the Charleston area where he subbed and did his student teaching, to the Gateway to the Low-country in Barnwell, SC where he coordinated a 6th– 8th-grade Gifted and Talented Program, to the largest school district in South Carolina representing much of the upstate in Greenville where he is currently employed.
He has been involved in the instruction or the professional development of almost every age group in public education from Elementary School (K-7) Music, to Assistant High School Band Director (8-12). He coordinated a 6th– 8th-grade Gifted and Talented Program, taught a 6th grade Social Studies Class and worked as both an Instructional Coach and as an AP for a number of years. Currently he serve as the ITS (Instructional Technology Specialist) here at BRMS.
Dr. Kauffman has his undergraduate History Degree from the University of South Carolina, Masters in the Art of Teaching from The Citadel, Administrative Degree in K-12 Administration through Greenville and Clemson, and holds an Ed.D. in Curriculum and Instruction through the University of South Carolina. He is a three-time school "Teacher of the Year" and a one-time District "Teacher of the Year". Dr. Kauffman enjoys spending time with is family and loves working with teachers and students to see what great things can be accomplished when we work together.
Email: dkauffma@greenville.k12.sc.us
Website: Dr. K's Website