New principal getting settled at Ross

Amanda Anderson didn't always know she wanted to go into education, but it seemed that all the jobs she's had put her in that role.

Anderson is now the new principal at Ross Elementary, taking over from Raquel Rodriguez who was named principal of Adela and Gilbert Vasquez Middle School.

This will be her first head principal position. She was a principal intern at Ross and acting principal at Odessa Collegiate Academy while James Ramage was out.

He has returned.

As a principal intern, Anderson shadowed Rodriguez at Ross to learn some of the skills you wouldn't necessarily learn as an assistant principal.

This is her second year with Ector County ISD. Shew was previously with Midland ISD.

Before Midland, Anderson was in Las Cruces and before that, San Antonio.

She got her teaching certificate in 2005 and stayed home with her kids, but she substitute taught every year while they were little. Anderson and her husband Steve have four children and a couple of "bonus" kids.

"It was very hard for me to decide what I wanted to do, but in all of the jobs I had in my early 20s, no matter what I started doing, I ended up teaching. If I worked in a restaurant, I became the trainer of everything in the restaurant. If I worked in an office, I became the trainer of everything in an office. I ran some dance studios and gymnastic studios. I was a lifeguard, even in high school, and I became the water safety instructor and taught swim lessons," Anderson said.

"Everything I did, I would end up teaching whatever it was … and that's kind of how I came around to teaching and being in education," she added. "I just continue to educate. I just naturally educate people. I can't stop myself."

Anderson earned a bachelor's in English and secondary education from University of Texas San Antonio and a master's in educational leadership from University of Texas Permian Basin.

She is pleased to be the new principal of Ross.

Anderson said she's expecting about 500 students in prekindergarten through fifth grade this year and she's hired most of the people she needs for the new school year. As of June 11, she was looking for three teachers.

"It is a great school with strong culture, dedicated teachers, and amazing students. I love the students here, and they deserve every opportunity to succeed. I wanted to be part of continuing that work. I love helping students and helping families," Anderson said.

"I think being a principal was just the next step in where I was going. One of my core values is my faith, and I believe I get put where I'm supposed to be and flourish. … Most of my background is in secondary, and that is probably where my heart is, but I really fell in love with Ross, so I am happy to be here," she added.

Anderson said there is a core group of master teachers here.

"We are going to have some change over it this year, but that's expected anytime a principal is leaving and (a new one) coming in, but our central core group is staying, and the culture is very positive. The teachers treat each other like family, they help each other out, they are excited that I'm here, and I'm excited to work with them," Anderson said.

She wants to continue strengthening instruction, particularly in writing and science, and making sure everybody gets the support they need.

"One other area I have a goal in is family engagement and making sure that families feel welcome and are a part of what we do here," Anderson said.

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This story was originally published June 23, 2026 at 10:52 AM.