Odle Middle School Principal Eric McDowell enjoys traveling with his wife, who works for a travel company, during his vacation time. The Bellevue School District employee has explored many different countries around the world and loves to learn about other cultures. That spirit of adventure and inquisitive nature will serve him well when he starts his new position in Bothell on July 1 — as Northcreek High School’s first ever principal.

At North Creek High School, Northshore School District’s (NSD) fourth comprehensive high school, McDowell will officially begin his tenure as the planning principal, transitioning to principal when the school opens in 2017.

“It is equal parts excitement and sadness,” said McDowell, who is 50. “Bellevue is a fantastic district and they have been super supportive. But this is an amazing opportunity. How often does a new high school get built?”

McDowell has worked in the Bellevue School District (BSD) during his entire 22-year career. His passion for education has led him to many positions within the BSD, including math teacher, activities director, Link Crew coordinator, K-12 math curriculum developer and Highland Middle School assistant principal.

However, he was not always so excited about education. It wasn’t until after he graduated from high school in South Dakota and moved to Minnesota that he stumbled into his calling.

“I started off as an actuary with an insurance company in Minnesota,” said McDowell, who moved around a lot during his childhood as his father was in the military. “I became a neighborhood volunteer and tutor. A ‘big brother’ to a boy named Charles. I think I learned more from Charles than he did from me.”

That experience made him realize he wanted to go into education.

But starting a new high school from scratch is not just about teaching and McDowell will have to draw on all of his experiences, not just in education. He acknowledged the great reputations of the other three high schools in the NSD.

“The Northshore School District is fantastic and they are doing some great things but we want to set North Creek up as a separate high school in the district,” he said. “We want it to be just as good as the other Northshore high schools, not better or worse, just different.”

He will work with a planning and visioning team from the community and district to develop the characteristics of the high school and help with the 2017 boundary changes. McDowell has become used to a transitional state, as Odle Middle School is currently undergoing renovation.

“I want to make this the smoothest transition possible for the kids and parents [in the NSD] and we will measure our success on that,” McDowell said. “I am going to be working very hard for the community.”

NSD spokesperson Leanna Albrecht said that he will also participate in the assignment of staff.

He said that he believes in building a good team environment for his staff and the community.

“I think I am a very good collaborator,” McDowell said. “You can’t micromanage and you have to build trust. It is about the entire team and having good collaboration.”

McDowell will also help establish new traditions, including selecting school colors and a mascot.

“The kids will help pick the colors and mascot but we have to be careful to choose something that we will still be proud of in 10 years,” he said. “You also have to think about whether it is easy to find uniforms in those colors and other logistical issues.”

The move might seem like a big jump for a middle school principal but McDowell’s experience speaks for itself. Along with his more than two decades in education, he holds a Bachelor of Arts in Mathematics from St. Olaf College in Minnesota, a Masters of Education in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies from the University of Washington and is currently completing a Doctorate in Education from the University of Washington.

He also has an extensive background and love of sports. Personally, he has completed in five half marathons and played tennis in college at St. Olaf. He also served as the head coach for the Bellevue High School tennis team for 15 years and won a state title.

The new planning principal said he is first and foremost focused on academics for the entire student body. His eight years helping to build the BSD’s K-12 math curriculum gives him the background to meet the challenge.

“I want to make sure that each and every kid earns a diploma,” said McDowell said, who has first-hand knowledge of the NSD as his sister’s children attend Northshore schools.

And while he and his wife, who just celebrated their 20th anniversary, have no children of their own, he said he is not missing out.

“I have 800 kids here at school,” McDowell said. “I really enjoy it.”