Lowell — With the perfect last name for the job, Dominic Lowe began as the new Lowell High School principal in July.
A longtime educator and administrator in Kentwood Public Schools, Lowe is also a familiar face in Lowell — mostly as his children’s dad. With his wife, Bryony, he’s been present at many of their events over the years, since they were Bushnell Elementary Bears and Alto Elementary All-Stars.
“I’ve lived in Lowell for 23 years,” said Lowe, whose two children, Tegan, a rising sophomore, and Delaney, a rising junior, now attend Lowell High School.
Lowe said he embraces the chance to impact the community he lives in by stepping up to lead the high school.
“Lowell is a great school. There are so many things going on here. Great programming for kids; great supportive community. The opportunity to be here and support the school that has given so much to me and my family — it was kind of a no-brainer to throw my hat in the ring.”
What other positions have you held in education? Lowe’s career has spanned 25 years in Kentwood Public Schools, where he taught math at the Freshman Campus from 2000 to 2010 and at East Kentwood High School until 2014. His courses included algebra, technology, algebra 2, multilingual math and math of graphic arts.
He then served as assistant principal at EK for six years and principal at the Freshman Campus from 2020 until last spring.
During his years teaching at EK, he also coached freshman baseball for more than a dozen years and football for 10.
What about jobs outside education? Lowe grew up in Ashley, Michigan, a small farming community where he spent many days baling hay and milking cows. He also “frankensteined” torn-apart cars with his neighbor, reassembling them from mere pieces.
In college, he was the student technology coordinator at Grand Valley State University and worked as a residential and commercial concrete pourer during summer months.
“Even when I started teaching, I would have a summer job. I would teach my last day on a Friday and on Monday I was on a construction site.”
Education/degrees:
- Bachelor’s degree with a major in math and a minor in computer science, Grand Valley State University
- Master’s degree, also from GVSU, in educational leadership with an emphasis on secondary education
Why did you want to become an administrator? “I saw being a principal as a way to connect with kids and families in a different way,” he said, noting that a principal’s reach goes beyond a classroom or athletic field.
“I felt like I had things to offer my peers, my colleagues, the people I worked with on a daily basis. If I could help support policy that is going to help them get better outcomes for kids, that sounds like a really cool deal.”
He also loves the synergy of educators working together.
“I sure enjoy watching teachers talk and collaborate and deliberate about (curriculum and instructional strategies). “I’ve developed a love for watching and learning about the art of teaching and I’ve learned so much as a school leader from watching teachers do what they do best.”
Name three great things about being in education:
- “Being around kids on a daily basis. It’s the energy they bring, the curiosity that they have. … Anything you can do to pour positively into kids who are someday going to be young adults and someday raise their families — having that influence and impact is hard to put a value on.”
- “Community. It’s the community where your children are raised; it’s what you can give back to the community. The intersection of those things is what drew me to (this position). What are ways we can continue to build bridges between the community and school? … The school is the fabric of the community.”
- “Seeing people achieve and find success, whatever that looks like. It’s seeing kids connect to something they didn’t think they would have a connection to and then all the sudden have that curiosity spark and say, ‘That’s what I want to do for the rest of my life.’
“You are helping kids make huge decisions. You’re not the hero in their journey; they are the hero in their journey, of their story — you are just one of the story characters.”
‘I’ve learned so much as a school leader from watching teachers do what they do best.’
— Principal Dominic Lowe
Describe your leadership style in seven words or less: “Service. Patient. Supportive, Listening. Organized, Empowering. Grateful.”
Dogs or cats? Why? “Dogs, for sure. I like walking my dogs (Obie and Harlow). I have one hyperactive pup that loves to run and one that likes to lay down … They are always happy to see you!”
Your first concert? Oak Ridge Boys at the Ionia Free Fair, with his parents.
What book, movie, TV show or podcast have you loved lately? Podcasts: ChatEDU: The AI in Education Podcast and A Bit of Optimism with Simon Sinek.
Book: “Becoming Better Grownups,” by Brad Montegue
What historical figure would you love to spend the day with? “Abe Lincoln would be a good person to sit down with for a couple hours to pick his brain. He was a passionate leader who felt strongly about things… He changed the shape of American culture and believed in something and stood up for what he believed in.”
What is one thing on your bucket list? Lowe said he would like to take a tour with his family to the American West to visit national landmarks and parks like the Grand Canyon.
Fun fact: The restaurant Keiser’s Kitchen, on Main Street, has been run by members of Lowe’s wife’s family for generations.
Read more from Lowell:
• School work goal born of real life experience
• ‘Books make me so happy’
