Mercer Island High School graduate Julie Newcomer, who has extensive experience as an educator in the Island school district, has been selected as the next Northwood Elementary School principal.

She will succeed Aimee Batliner-Gillette, who has been Northwood’s principal since the school opened in the fall of 2016.

“The Mercer Island School District is a wonderful place to work. There are strong staff, fabulous students, and a supportive parent network,” said Newcomer. “My skills, beliefs, and strengths align with the mission and vision of the district and I am excited to be the next principal at Northwood.”

Newcomer is currently teaching fourth grade at Northwood and doing an administrative internship as she completes a principal certification program at Seattle University. Also during her local district career, she was an instructional coach from 2017-2021; kindergarten teacher at Lakeridge from 2014-15, West Mercer from 2015-16 and Northwood from 2016-17; and a third grade teacher at West Mercer from 1999-2001.