Meet Our Administrators

Welcome to Dixon Elementary School and the home of the Bulldogs!

Dear Parents, Students, Families and Community of Dixon Elementary School,

Welcome to Dixon Elementary School and the 2025-26 school year!  It is truly an honor to be a member of the Dixon Elementary School family and community.  As a Leader in Me Lighthouse School,  our focus this year is "Chart Your Course: Lead, Learn, Achieve" as we continue to raise the bar for all students and to enable them to be the leaders of their learning!

I have been a proud resident of Onslow County for many years.  I have a wonderful family-three members that are products of the Onslow County School System.  I have an amazing husband, Mark Bulris, who is the Executive Director of Elementary Education for Onslow County Schools.  We have two wonderful children, Maddox and McKenzie.  Our daughter, Maddox, is a 2017 graduate of Southwest High School and a 2021 graduate of Western Carolina University.  Our son, McKenzie, is a 2021 graduate of Southwest High School and a 2025 graduate of UNC-Chapel Hill. I am a graduate of the Columbus County School System and a proud alumnus of East Carolina University (Go Pirates!). Outside of my school time, I enjoy traveling, watching sports, photography, and spending time with family.  I am a huge fan of:  New York Yankees, Dallas Cowboys, Carolina Hurricanes, UNC Chapel Hill and East Carolina University so ask me about the latest sports news!

At Dixon Elementary, we take great pride in our students as we work together as a community to grow all leaders in leadership skills and global competencies.  Dixon Elementary School embodies these principles each day.  As a result of the work and collaboration of students, staff, and community, Dixon Elementary has been designated as a Covey Lighthouse School and a NC Global Ready School.  As our school mission says:

 Educators and families develope a path for students to reach their potential.

We truly value our families and the impact that they have made on their students.  As a Leader in Me Lighthouse School, our focus is on "Chart Your Course"  as we continue to raise the bar for all students.  Working together, we will raise the bar for all learners and help them achiev their highest potential!

Thank you for your ongoing support for the student and staff Global Leaders at Dixon Elementary School!  We are honored to have the privilege of working with all our DES students and to have them as part of our DES family!

Kind Regards,

Teah Bulris

Amanda Muirhead

Hi Bulldog families!

I’m so excited to be joining the Dixon Elementary community as your Assistant Principal! The 2025–2026 school year will be my fourth year in school administration, and I feel incredibly fortunate to continue this journey here at Dixon.

From the classroom, I transitioned into the role of instructional coach and eventually moved into administration. Most of my professional experience has been in Cabarrus County and Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools, and most recently I served as the Secondary ELA Content Coordinator at the district level, supporting middle and high schools across the district.

I’m originally from Durham, NC, but my family and I recently relocated to Surf City from Charlotte. I earned my undergraduate degree from East Carolina University, my graduate degree from Western Carolina University, and I’m beginning my doctoral studies at UNCW this fall. I live with my husband, Matt, and our two-year-old daughter, Maeve. We love spending time at the beach, staying active, and enjoying all that this beautiful area has to offer.

As a school leader, I believe deeply in the power of relationships and relevance in education. I lead with empathy, prioritize connection, and strive to make sure every student, staff member, and family feels seen, supported, and valued.

I’ve heard nothing but wonderful things about Dixon Elementary, and I truly can’t wait to learn from and work alongside this amazing school community. Please don’t hesitate to reach out anytime!

GO BULLDOGS!

Amanda Muirhead