May 6, 2020 

Jimmy Dawson, principal of Acton Middle School, has been named the finalist to be the Granbury ISD career and technical education director.  The announcement was made by GISD superintendent Dr. Jeremy Glenn on May 6, 2020. 

The appointment is subject to approval by the GISD school board.  If confirmed, Dawson will succeed Judy Gentry, who retired in December 2019 after leading the CTE department since 2009. 

“The Granbury ISD career and technical education program is regarded as one of the top programs in the state of Texas. We needed a leader with a vision to continue our rich tradition of excellence,” commented Dr. Glenn.  “Jimmy Dawson is a well-respected educator with a track record of successful leadership experiences. I am confident he will continue to build on the strong foundation already in place.” 

Dawson became the AMS principal in 2008, becoming only the second person to lead the campus in the school’s history.  That followed four years at Granbury Middle School, which he led from 2003-2007.  After beginning his educational career in 1993 as a teacher and coach in the Panhandle town of Borger, he eventually became an assistant principal in that school district before becoming an elementary school principal in Plainview.   

A native of Canyon, the prospective CTE director holds a bachelor’s degree from Abilene Christian University and a master’s degree from West Texas A&M University with post-graduate work at Texas Tech University. 

Dawson received the Instructional Leader Award from the Effective Schools Project at Tarleton State University in 2010.  In 2018, he received the “Because We Care” Award from the United Way of Hood County for helping spearhead the GISD Day of Service initiative.  Dawson also helped the AMS campus earn the “Texas School to Watch” designation in 2016. 

“I want to see and help students cross the finish line of graduation,” Dawson said.  “I want to be that support system for students searching for college and careers, support teachers, and build on the solid foundation that our school district has started with CTE.”  

Pending final approval of Dawson’s appointment by the school board, the district will begin accepting applications for the next AMS principal.