Meet Master Principal Ryan Bott

Ryan Bott, principal at Bryan Adams High School Leadership Academy, has spent 13 years making memorable moments and transforming student lives as an educator, with eight of those years in Dallas ISD. 

He grew up in the Dallas area and taught in Denton ISD and Houston ISD before becoming an assistant principal at Moisés E. Molina High School, where he led a high achieving math department and early college high school. After three years at Molina, he stepped up as principal at Bryan Adams. 

His accomplishments include being named Teacher of the Year in Houston ISD for his innovative work as an Algebra I teacher and Dallas ISD AVID Principal of the Year for the 2022-2023 school year, as well as being awarded the Master Principal designation for the 2022-2023 school year.

Bott said he is proud to be among the more than 20 Dallas ISD leaders to be recognized as a Master Principal across three categories: neighborhood elementary schools, neighborhood secondary schools, and choice schools. 

The awards are part of the Theory of Action, which governs how Dallas ISD makes decisions that ultimately impact student achievement. The criteria used are the School Effectiveness Index, State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness/EOC Domain 1 results, and campus climate data.

What drew you to education? 

My wife was a high school English teacher. I saw the impact that she was making so I decided to join her in education. Since then I have seen teachers face unprecedented challenges, and they have risen to them with grace, care, and excellence. Their dedication has kept our students safe, engaged, and, most importantly, in the community, and I am thankful for every one of them.

What qualities make a great principal? 

Commitment, vision, and being student-focused are essential to leading a campus at a high level. 

What is your educational philosophy or a motto by which you work? 

Effort = Achievement 

What inspires you about your position? 

I get to make an impact on so many people, kids and adults, and I am dedicated to continuing the excellence of Bryan Adams and to maintaining the traditions that our community members hold near and dear in their hearts.