LifeChanger of the Year Nominee Profile

Marion McDowell was nominated by a parent of a student.

In 1988, Ms. McDowell started her path as a nurturer by serving as a “Volunteer Hug Mother” at DC General Hospital. The babies she bonded with while working as a Hug Mother were children who were left behind in the hospital or suffered from the result of their parents' drug use while they were being carried. The time Ms. McDowell spent holding these babies gave them the love they were missing until a family member came to get them or they were placed by Child and Family. At the time, Ms. McDowell was developing her gift of unconditional love for children.

In October 1989, as a single mother of three, Ms. McDowell was hired by DC Public Schools as a Teacher's Assistant. In addition to caring for three children on her own, she continued to pursue her education in spite of many challenges and completed her Bachelor of Arts in Education from The University of the District of Columbia and at Trinity College. In 2008, Ms. McDowell earned a Masters of Education from George Mason University

Ms. McDowell's interest in Special Education stemmed from her own difficulties in learning throughout elementary and high school. She knew of her intelligence, but she couldn’t figure out why she had such an issue with retention and following the class lectures. She has been quoted several times as saying," I never want any child who may have a different way of learning to be perceived as a child who has an inability to learn." Although school was difficult at times, she kept pressing on, changing study habits until she perfected them. It wasn't until Ms. McDowell's 12th grade year when she would finally meet an educator patient enough to see her difference and adapt to her learning style. She also sent Ms. McDowell to a center, where she was diagnosed as dyslexic.

"I will never forget the understanding and belief that Dr. Carter showed me in the 12th grade," said Ms. McDowell. "She allowed me to take one of my English exams orally, and I amazed myself by passing my exam with ease. Dr. Carter, however, knew I could do it. She saw I learned differently than others."

This life lesson is the driving force behind Ms. McDowell's many success stories with her own students today. The early childhood foundation she has instilled in thousands of children has made her one of the most beloved childhood educators in the entire DC public school system.

While blazing her own path throughout her career, Ms. McDowell has also brought relationships to DCPS that have lasted for almost a decade. Some of the partnerships Ms. McDowell developed through her proposal writing are from the likes of Apple, Aver Media, Imani Computer Consulting, and PFA. In addition to partnerships with these companies, Ms. McDowell has created several Community Builder Activities, which include:

• Soles for Souls - shoes for the less fortunate
• Vaccination book giveaway with the Teacher's Union
• Thanks for Giving Bags - bags with non-perishable items, toiletries and scarves, socks and gloves for the homeless
• Payne Soiree - welcoming new parents into the community
• A Uniform, Shoes and Coat Drive
• Angel Families - holiday gifts for the less fortunate
• Spring Bunny - baskets for children
• Payne Pearls - a healthy and a safe place to discuss and learn about healthy friendships and social grouping, expectations, knowledge, responsibility, success, and assertiveness

Ms. McDowell is a consistent, reliable educator. On various occasions, she has put her children and their families before herself by giving her off duty time to attend recitals, weddings, hospitals, birthday parties, homework help, and GED assistance.

"I cannot list everything Marion has done. I can only say that she has been a LifeChanger in the lives of so many," said the parent. "Many of her former student’s parents reach back out to her to discuss the success of their children. They often attribute Ms. McDowell as a great root builder. She is our LifeChanger for life!"