School of Education Archives

Marymount’s Dr. Nicci Dowd named president of international organization’s special education division

Posted on February 26, 2026 by nmunson

Dr. Nicci Dowd, Assistant Professor in Marymount University’s School of Education, has begun a one-year term as president of the Division of International Special Education and Services (DISES), a section of the Council for Exceptional Children. She becomes the first African American president in the organization’s 37-year history, a historic milestone reflecting her professional leadership and longstanding commitment to inclusive education. DISES promotes global knowledge exchange, collaboration, human rights and […]

Marymount’s Camp Santos improves youth bilingual literacy in Arlington

Posted on September 23, 2025 (September 23, 2025) by adauches

Over the summer, Marymount University faculty hosted the inaugural session of the Camp Santos: Rec N’ Read program, a three-week summer camp designed to improve bilingual literacy skills among elementary school children in Arlington. The program was created by Dr. Ella Merriwether, Assistant Professor of Forensic and Legal Psychology in the Marymount School of Social […]

Culturally Responsive Teaching in Elementary and Secondary Classrooms

Posted on July 14, 2025 by adauches

Today’s teachers assume a powerful responsibility: They not only help students develop academic or social skills but also ensure that they understand their worth (and see worth in others). This is an undertaking built into every classroom, lesson, and interaction. Culturally responsive pedagogy gives today’s passionate and empathetic teachers the tools, support, and inspiration needed to […]

Marymount educators return to Uganda for transformative teaching exchange

Posted on June 13, 2025 by nmunson

This spring, a team of Marymount University educators traveled over 7,000 miles to rural eastern Uganda on a journey marked by connection, collaboration and the shared pursuit of meaningful education. Dr. Elizabeth Langran, Professor of Education, and Dr. Nicci Dowd, Assistant Professor of Education, led a group of diverse educators to the Bududa District from […]

Marymount lecturer presents at Oxford Education Research Symposium

Posted on June 13, 2025 by nmunson

Dr. Denise Ball, lecturer in Marymount University’s School of Education and a veteran Catholic school leader, presented her research on teacher retention at the prestigious Oxford Education Research Symposium in England. Her presentation, “Strengthening Schools from Within: The Impact of Leadership and Culture on Teacher Retention,” explored how school climate and leadership play a pivotal […]

Marymount’s Sr. Patricia Helene Earl retiring after 26 years of service

Posted on May 2, 2024 (May 2, 2024) by Nicole Koluder

After 26 years of dedicated service, primarily as the Director of Marymount University’s Catholic School Leadership Program (CSLP), Sr. Patricia Helene Earl will retire from the institution this month. Sr. Patricia’s Marymount journey began not as a faculty member but as a student. During her youth, she attended Marymount’s Junior School for eight years. After […]

MU expands access to graduate education for ADW teachers

Posted on November 7, 2023 (November 7, 2023) by nmunson

Marymount University’s School of Education and the Archdiocese of Washington (ADW) have signed a memorandum of understanding that establishes a partnership between the two institutions, which will result in expanded access to Marymount graduate programs for ADW teachers through an innovative pathway to licensure. Seeking to provide access to high-quality and accredited academic courses […]

Special Education program graduate at MU overcomes challenges to reach finish line

Posted on May 19, 2021 (August 3, 2021) by

Faith Allen at Marymount University's 2021 Commencement Ceremonies

Faith Allen didn’t know much about Marymount University when she arrived on campus for the first time during a tour nearly four years ago. But what the Special Education major did know was the unmistakable sense of belonging she felt on that visit. “I fell in love!” Allen recalls. “It felt like a community […]