Michael McDowell has been a public school educator for 18 years. He has served as classroom teacher, academic and athletic coach, school principal, assistant superintendent, and superintendent. As principal of a Title I high school, he designed and led innovative partnerships, including with the University of California system, that integrated career and technical education with college-preparatory courses, expanding equitable access and opportunity for all students.

McDowell has also served as a faculty member at the Buck Institute for Education, an adjunct professor at San Francisco State University, and a school development coach with the New Tech Network. He is also the author of Strengthening Tier 1 Teaching and other books.