What are our alumni doing?
Dominic Lowe
Graduation Year: ‘99
Major(s) and minor(s): math major, CS minor
Post-grad education: GVSU ’07 MA in Educational Leadership
Current position: Principal at East Kentwood Freshman Campus
Employer: Kentwood Public Schools
The most helpful aspects of my undergraduate education in mathematics were: learning how to collaborate with others to solve complex problems. I think back to my calculus and differential equations classes and many of the skills I learned while working with a team are far more important than the content that I was challenged with. While my mathematics background has served me well in my teaching profession (14 years prior to becoming an administrator 8+ years ago), the skills that I learned about perseverance, problem solving, and collaboration continue to be nested at the center of my daily work.
The advice I’d offer to current undergraduate students in mathematics: Not every problem has a neat solution that can be summed up with a "QED" at the bottom of a page. Learn to embrace the struggle of new and challenging things. Learn to experience discomfort in knowing that there are no known solutions to the complex problems that you will face in your lifetime or your career. It's okay if you get stuck, just learn to persevere and KEEP GOING!
In a typical day in my work, I: am the principal at a freshman campus with approximately 760 9th graders in one building. I manage many roles as a principal including teacher evaluation and providing opportunities for professional growth for those teachers. I also am responsible for creating and implementing student programing in all matters related to our course selection, master scheduling, and I work along with our counseling team to conduct audits of student academic performance. Another hat that I wear is working with my team on discipline and supports to keep students in school and learning. I serve as one of our building coaches for our MTSS team working to implement Restorative Practices across our system to grow community in our classrooms and our wider school community.
Other thoughts/comments: My professors might have seen something in me that I didn't see in myself. They were people who encouraged me, pushed me, and supported me through some of the most challenging content I've ever been exposed to. I always felt like the math department was a place where I could spend an entire day and the people made the space a warm, inviting, and welcoming environment. I still remember Friday Ultimate Frisbee outside of Mackinac Hall. It was and still is a special place.
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