My name is Julie Dowdy and I teach Algebra 1, AP Calculus & Computer Programming.  I also coach the UIL Computer Science team.  I have taught for 13 years and this will be my tenth year at Idalou. As a graduate of Idalou High School and the mother of 3 former Wildcats, I know what a great school system we have and I am looking forward to another wonderful year.

After 17 years as a stay-at-home mom, I returned to Texas Tech in 2004 to earn my mathematics degree and teaching certificate. I spent the first 4 years of my teaching career in Ralls and in 2009, I again donned the green and gold as an Idalou Wildcat. My husband, Robert (also an IHS graduate) is a retired air traffic controller and now works at TTU Health Sciences Center in the Sim Life Lab. We have been married 33 years and have 3 sons. Matt is a Texas Tech graduate and works as the sports information director for Texas Tech Football in Athletic Communications. Matt is married to Kelsey, also a Texas Tech graduate, who works for an IT company in Lubbock, Blue Layer.  Blake is a fire fighter with the Lubbock Fire Department and is married to K'Lea who is a registered nurse in UMC's emergency room. Tyler graduated from Texas Tech with a master’s degree in mechanical engineering and is now employed by Lockheed Martin in Fort Worth. His wife Lexi graduated from West Texas A&M and is now a stay-at-home mommy to my precious granddaughter Emmalyn, who was born this past July. 

I am a self-proclaimed math nerd but I understand that many students enter my classroom with a not-so-favorable view of math.  I know it can be a challenging subject for many students.  My goal for every student who enters my class is that they become better problem solvers.  Even if they don't learn every math concept, the ability to analyze and solve problems will carry with them throughout their lives.  So when students ask, "When am I ever going to use this?", my answer is, "We're learning problem solving and you will use that for the rest of your life!"

I am looking forward to a great year with an awesome group of students!  Again, I welcome all of you, especially those of you who are new to our district. I know we are going to have a great year!