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.
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 have two children. Brittany is engaged to Kyle, and they plan to get married in September.
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 Jay Grady, and I am very excited to be joining The Blue Ridge Middle School family as the new 7th grade administrator. This is my 20th year in middle school education. I am married to beautiful lady named Holly and have an amazing 12 year old daughter named Edie. I can't wait for the new school year to start! See you soon!
Email: jgrady@greenville.k12.sc.us
Mr. Ross Pruitt, Administrative Assistant (6th Grade)
Ross Pruitt spent his career, prior to moving into administration, teaching science and Gateway to Technology at Lakeview Middle in Greenville County and at Wren Middle in Anderson One. While at Lakeview he coached baseball for 5 years and absolutely loved coaching student-athletes to gain confidence in themselves and their abilities both in the classroom and on the field. His belief in hard work and accountability of himself continues to push him in his work and his relationships with others. Mr. Pruitt holds a Master's Degree in Secondary School Leadership and Administration and is currently pursuing his Educational Specialist at Furman University.
Mr. Pruitt lives in Belton with his wife Anna, his son Liam, and their dog Scoop. He and his family love spending as much time as possible in the Lowcountry around Beaufort boating, fishing and continually learning more about the history of the area.
He has heard nothing but wonderful things about the Blue Ridge community and is thrilled to be joining such a wonderful team at Blue Ridge Middle. He is excited to bring his positive attitude and understanding heart to support the great Blue Ridge school community.
Email: ropruitt@greenville.k12.sc.us
Mrs. Tanya Harris, Instructional Coach (IC)
Mrs. Harris loves being a part of the Blue Ridge family and has been at BRMS since 2005 and has been the Instructional Coach since 2013. Before becoming the Instructional Coach, she taught seventh grade English Language Arts at BRMS. Prior to coming to BRMS, she taught at Gateway Elementary School, Northwest Middle School, and Berea Middle School. She has degrees from Clemson University and Southern Wesleyan University and is currently working on a literacy degree from Clemson University.
She and her husband, Scott, have been married since 1988, and they have two daughters, two sons-in-law, a granddaughter, and a grandson. Her oldest daughter, Chelsey, is a nurse, and her son-in-law, Parker, is a doctor. They live and work in Florence, S.C. with Miriam, her granddaughter. Her youngest daughter, Madison, is a fourth-grade teacher, and her son-in-law, Will, works for BMW. They live in Greenville with her grandson, Lincoln. She has two fur babies, Sumter, a yellow lab, and Piper, a long-haired, red-headed dachshund. She and her husband live on a little farm and have two horses and two cats as well.
In her free time, she’ll either be doing something outside around their little farm, on the road to Florence to visit Miriam, at her church, at a Clemson football game, riding her bike or walking on the Swamp Rabbit Trail, or at the beach with her family. She is excited to see what this new school year holds for BRMS, and says one of her favorite phrases, “Let’s go Tigers!”
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, did his student teaching, to the Gateway to the Low-country in Barnwell, SC, to the largest school district in South Carolina representing much of the upstate in Greenville.
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 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 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 together with students and cannot wait to see the great things that are in store for us.
Email: dkauffma@greenville.k12.sc.us
Website: Dr. K's Website