Joby McGowan Named Next Principal of Island Park Elementary

Mercer Island, WA, June 10, 2024 - The Mercer Island School District is pleased to announce Joby McGowan has been selected to be the next principal of Island Park Elementary School. McGowan will succeed Jon Wollmuth who has been Island Park's principal for the last two years.

Superintendent Dr. Fred Rundle was at Island Park after school today to make the announcement of McGowan’s appointment to school staff. McGowan will attend the Thursday, June 20, School Board Meeting where the Board will consider his appointment and take formal action to have him become the next Island Park principal.

“I am thrilled to be appointed as the next principal of Island Park Elementary School,” said McGowan. “It is with enthusiasm and honor that I look forward to continuing to serve our school community known for its commitment to academic excellence, inclusive environment, and strong community spirit.”

“I have had the privilege of serving as the instructional coach at Island Park for the past two years where I have fallen in love with our students, staff and community members. My goal is to support our talented staff, empower our students to reach their full potential, and engage families as partners in their children's education.”

McGowan has extensive experience in the Mercer Island School District. He has been an Instructional Coach at Island Park for the last two years. Prior to this McGowan was a kindergarten teacher at Lakeridge for two six year stints, from 2008-14 and 2016-22. During the 2014-15 school year he taught first grade the American International School in Dhaka, Bangladesh. McGowan taught first grade and second grade at West Mercer from 2002-08. Before joining MISD McGowan was a kindergarten and first grade teacher at Bowman Woods School in the Linn-Mar Community School District, in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, from 1996-2002.

“Mr. McGowan’s commitment to the students, staff, and Island Park community is going to not only provide for a seamless transition in leadership but accelerate the current trajectory of growth and progress as well,” said Rundle.

“Mr. McGowan and I first worked together when he taught kindergarten at Lakeridge and I served as principal. His relationships with parents as partners and dedication to raising the bar for the learners in his classroom impressed me. This coupled with how he was a leader amongst his colleagues led me to believe he would be a great principal someday. I am just glad this is coming to fruition within our district and at Island Park.”

McGowan graduated from Mount Mercy College in Cedar Rapids with a BS in Elementary Education/Early Childhood in 1995. He received his Master of Arts in Reading and Language Arts from the University of Northern Iowa in 1998. McGowan earned his K-12 Principal Certification from City University in 2008.