LifeChanger of the Year Nominee Profile

Patricia Marshall was nominated by her principal, Amy McMahan.

In June, Mrs. Marshall drove students to Wisconsin for the International Future Problem Solvers competition. Three days later, she took the wheel of her school’s van and drove student/*s to Maryland for the National Contest for National History Day. “It was June, mind you, and many other teachers are enjoying trips with their families or earning extra income working summer jobs,” McMahan said. “But for Pat Marshall, it seems there is no designation between her time and school time. She is a teacher round the clock and calendar. So selfless and so refreshing."

On many occasions, McMahan has been impressed with the professionalism displayed by Mrs. Marshall. Even with her most challenging students, Mrs. Marshall employs an empathetic, non-judgmental and open approach, always presenting an avenue for improvement and offering choice in determining destiny. As a result, she has great rapport with students and their parents and is extremely cognizant of the importance of establishing mutually respectful relationships. These traits are instrumental in making a difference in students' lives and also in the development of a positive school atmosphere.

"It makes me smile to recall all that Mrs. Marshall has done to share the passion she has for English studies with our students and staff,” McMahon said. “I recall days when she showed up for class donning attire depicting the literary character of the day and others when she was here well into the night supervising extra credit movie nights, showing films previously unknown to our students, yet in her estimation, vital to functioning in this world."

Every student in Mrs. Marshall's classes knows that she will be an advocate for them. They know she expects them to achieve success and her teaching style reflects this. She is known for routinely reaching into her bag of English excitement and pulling out effective ideas and activities that engage her students at levels previously unattained. These and other efforts point to Mrs. Marshall's focus on leadership and providing a nurturing environment for her students.

Mrs. Marshall's list of professional accolades is comprehensive and long. However, because gaining recognition is not why she performs and pursues as she does, one might never see the list. Mrs. Marshall's professional engagement level provides a model of excellence for others. As a colleague, she is a valuable resource and proven contributor. Her expertise and intelligence are invaluable.

"It is apparent students leave her class changed. She changes their beliefs and inspires aspirations," McMahon said. "For example, if you had asked a student back in September of last year if he or she planned to travel to Wisconsin or Maryland for a national competition, the answer would have been an emphatic no. Yet in June, while most of their peers were sleeping, these same students boarded a van that Patricia Marshall was driving and headed cross country for experiences that, even in thinking about and preparing for, had already changed their lives."

Her students' minds have expanded, their knowledge increased and most importantly, as a result of Patricia Marshall's influence, their confidence in themselves and in their own abilities has flourished.

"Yesterday, prior to receiving the email to nominate someone as a LifeChanger, I wrote the following email to Mrs. Marshall," McMahon said. "Darren, Matt, Megan and I were just talking about your commitment and dedication. Your willingness to give freely of your time for a trip like this and all it takes to put it in motion are inspiring. We are blessed to have you influencing our young people. The opportunities they are experiencing because of your leadership are truly life-changing. Thank you for all you do."