Empower Life-Long Self-Directed Learning

Our research-informed and data-driven solutions equip you to personalize student learning in a safe and connected community.

Our Vision

Empowering ALL students to flourish as self-directed learners. We want to see all learners reach their potential through personalized, one-to-one learning and strong relationships with educators.

Our Mission

Leveraging robust research to develop cutting-edge, technology-rich, learning solutions that release students’ inner purpose and strengths, positioning them for success.

Our Learners

MARIO Learners are self-aware and reflective; respectful and compassionate. They embrace diversity and challenge inequity. They understand the ways they learn best.

A Global Presence

Before MARIO, I relied a lot more on counsellors and other school departments to support students with behaviour and SEL/EF skills. Now, I feel so much more empowered to address the needs of the whole child that go beyond academics. My students open up more, they are more engaged in their learning, and they seem to have an increased confidence about them.

“I could go on and on about the changes I’ve seen in my students…empowerment, confidence, pride, ownership, willingness to open up and share, desire to grow and improve when they are given choice & voice.”

“I’ve developed a closer connection to my students that provides a safety net for them to take risks and feel safer in the learning environment. My students feel more involved in their own learning and take pride in setting learning goals for themselves. The best thing about MARIO is the data collection, which provides genuine feedback on what is working in the classroom and what needs to be changed.”

MARIO Framework at Your School

Increase collective teacher-efficacy in your school as MARIO Educators implement and share their professional learning initatives.

School Leaders Educators Parents

What does it mean to have a MARIO Educator on your faculty?

Your educator’s practices are deeply rooted in research and align with RTI/MTSS models.

Your educator can reach students in any context through a personalized, whole-child approach to education.

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Solutions for School Leaders

General educators find it challenging to help students with disabilities reach their potential in the classroom.

Working in collaboration with a MARIO Educator will allow homeroom and content teachers to gain a better understanding of the students with disabilities in their classrooms. The MARIO for Me software helps special education and general education teachers, in addition to other paraprofessionals and educational assistants, to share notes and observations regarding student progress, behaviors, and grades. Students also have the opportunity to self-assess and reflect. As a result, all stakeholders are able to understand student learning goals, which will provide increased opportunities to draw on these goals in various settings across the school and tap into what matters the most to students, improving engagement and consequently, academic performance.
Pullout support classes are not always rigorous and, regardless of intentions, end up serving as a study hall as opposed to an effective Tier-3 intervention.

The MARIO Approach is purposefully designed to target specific learning challenges that are self-identified by the student. Through one-to-one conversations, MARIO Educators are able to utilize high-impact strategies, such as conceptual change conversations, self-assessment, and planning and predicting prompts, to effectively address key learning needs that align with IEP-related and student-driven goals. Although structured studying time can be a part of the pullout class support, it is the responsibility of the MARIO Educator to determine an appropriate length of time and set expectations for what this time looks like for their students.
Special educators are often stretched too thin with large student caseloads and need a more effective system to maximize available contact time with students.

The flexible nature of the MARIO Framework allows teachers to create schedules that work best for their particular needs. One-to-one conversations are at the heart of the program and are recommended to last from 5-7 minutes in length, depending on the context. Providing targeted interventions during these 5-7 minutes, allows educators to have meaningful conversations in a short period of time as opposed to less effective interventions in a longer period of time. Additionally, the MARIO for Me software seeks to reduce paperwork burdens by providing a comprehensive space to collect data, track progress, share notes, etc. As a result, more time is able to be spent engaging one on one with students.
Special educators often lack meaningful and relevant professional growth opportunities.

Joining the MARIO Framework means joining a global community of growing and passionate educators. MARIO Educators are trained to be true teacher-researchers and leaders in growth. This constantly iterative process ensures that MARIO Educators are always growing and professional development is an integral part of who they are. MARIO Educators are able to remain connected with our wider MARIO community through the MARIO for Me software and administrators can leverage this passion for learning in their school by placing MARIO Educators in positions that empower them to share their systems of professional growth with colleagues.

What does it mean to be a MARIO Educator?

Your educator’s practices are deeply rooted in research and align with RTI/MTSS models. Your educator can reach students in any context through a personalized, whole-child approach to education.

You are a valued part of a supportive community of other like-minded educators.

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Solutions for Educators

I find it difficult to record meaningful data efficiently and effectively.

The MARIO for Me software provides a space for teachers to record their data all in one place without having to keep track of multiple digital or handwritten documents. This streamlined process saves teachers time and reduces paperwork burdens while also meeting the highest standards of student privacy and safety. It is important to note that the MARIO Framework has teamed up with PRIVO to ensure that MARIO for Me is COPPA, FERPA and GDPR compliant.
Maintaining open communication with homeroom or content teachers regarding student accommodations, modifications, progress and goals can be a challenge.

The MARIO for Me software helps special education and general education teachers, in addition to other paraprofessionals and educational assistants, to share notes and observations regarding student progress, behaviors, and grades. Students also have the opportunity to self-assess and reflect. We empower communication amongst all stakeholders, including parents, involved in helping students achieve success.
Encouraging students to achieve their goals and remain motivated in their classes is extremely important, but it sometimes feels that I am not doing enough.

The MARIO Framework utilizes personalized, one-to-one conversations as a means to build strong and trusting student-teacher relationships. As a result, the teacher and student are able to engage in meaningful conversations where the student is encouraged to reflect on their areas for growth, such as why finding the motivation to start tasks may feel challenging. The teacher can then assist the student in identifying research-informed strategies to best overcome the identified challenges. This process is a team effort and neither the student nor the teacher should be on their own in this learning.
How can I best measure student progress that reflects both IEP- related and personal goals?

The MARIO Framework encourages the use of co-created diagnostic assessments as a way for students to share what matters most to them in addition to allowing the teacher to collect data that is required for their particular context, such as IEP goals. Additionally, both teacher and student will conduct frequent self-assessments, encouraging continual growth and providing teachers with opportunities to model a growth mindset for their students.

What does it mean to have a MARIO Educator teach your child?

Your child has long-term academic improvements through personalized learning based on their strengths.

You are a key player in your childs education and help shape their personalized learning experiences.

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Solutions for Parents

I am concerned that my child’s academic progress and skill development will regress as they move from teacher to teacher in different grade levels and classes.

The MARIO for Me software includes a feature that allows special education and general education teachers, in addition to other paraprofessionals and educational assistants, to share notes and observations regarding student progress, behaviors, grades, etc. This platform will encourage communication amongst all those involved in helping students to achieve success and can be stored as students move grade levels and/or classes to assist with the transition process.
I worry that I won’t have a full understanding of what my child is working on in school.

The MARIO Framework values the voice of the parent and strongly believes that parents are integral members of the team who collaborate with their child and their child’s educators to set and reinforce personalized learning goals together across settings. The MARIO for Me software will provide students with a space to own and share their learning experiences by creating and curating their own interactive Personalized Learning Journals. Parents will be able to both see and engage with what their child is learning in school, in both their mainstream and special education classes. Thus, parents will have an inside look into their child’s academic progress and skills development at the click of a button, without having to wait for key reporting dates.
What if the teacher doesn’t understand the unique needs of my child?

The MARIO Framework utilizes personalized one-to-one conversations as a means to build strong and trusting student-teacher relationships. As a result, the teacher and student are able to engage in meaningful conversations so that the teacher can best understand the student and their interests, strengths, and areas of growth. It is the unique structure of the MARIO Approach that allows teachers to get to know the student, not only in terms of their academic performance but also outside of the classroom as well, therefore providing a holistic view of the child and their unique needs.
How can I support my child’s growth at home?

With access to the MARIO for Me software, parents will receive direct information about the personalized goals their child is working on and will be able to incorporate elements of these goals into home learning time if they so choose. The progress monitoring notes provided through the software will also provide parents with topics of conversation they can discuss with their children. Gone are the days when parents ask, “What did you learn today” only to receive a one-word utterance, “I dunno” as a reply. Through MARIO, children will learn how to discuss their learning and with the MARIO for Me software, parents will have the information necessary to initiate meaningful conversations.

The Story of the MARIO Movement

2015

While working as a special education teacher at International School Bangkok, co-founder Philip Bowman saw the need for a new paradigm in special education. Working long hours outside of the classroom, he created an innovative approach based on interdisciplinary research and the application of design thinking in the classroom.

2016

Philip hypothesized that the ideal way to maximize student learning is through one-to-one conversations with students about their learning. These are conversations where students drive the learning and focus on what matters most to them. The pilot program led to remarkable advances in student outcomes.

2019

The success of the one-to-one program inspired Philip’s wife, Najwa, to share the framework with other educators. After Philip’s attendance at the 2019 Special Education Network and Inclusion Association (SENIA) conference, it became clear how great the need was for a scaffolded, one-to-one approach to personalizing learning.

2022

The MARIO Movement is rapidly being utilized around the world, currently reaching public, private, and international schools in twenty-four different countries. As it grows, the MARIO Framework is constantly evolving to take into account best practices in education as well as new insights from science.

Our Team

Graeme Scott

Executive Chairperson

Graeme Scott

Executive Chairperson

Graeme has a passion for humanizing education and pursuing unique projects rooted in research. With 30 years of experience in educational leadership, his most recent role was as Founding Director of the Middle East’s first solar-powered, fully sustainable IB school.

Najwa Bowman

Cofounder

Najwa Bowman

Cofounder

Najwa became a special educator after meeting her husband Philip Bowman and gaining the opportunity to work with inspiring neurodivergent learners herself. The incredible impact of Philip’s unique approach to education compelled her to help create The MARIO Framework.

Philip Bowman

Cofounder & Chief Executive Officer

Philip Bowman

Cofounder & Chief Executive Officer

The MARIO Framework was born in Philip’s learning support classroom. His desire to see all students flourish as self-directed learners fueled him to share his approach with other educators. Philip continues to empower students around the world.

Christopher Bell

Chief Technology Officer

Christopher Bell

Chief Technology Officer

Over 21 years in education, Chris has been a website business owner, art and design business owner, and tech consultant. He started his education career supporting students in the classroom and believes the MARIO Framework can help all students reach their potential.

Shekufeh Monadjem

Marketing Officer

Shekufeh Monadjem

Marketing Officer

Shekufeh, an international person rooted in Africa, has changed careers to focus on special education. As a life-long learner, she is using the MARIO Framework to deepen her connection with each student who comes her way and empower them to take charge of their own learning.

Erin Madonna

Chief Learning Officer

Erin Madonna

Chief Learning Officer

Erin is fueled by a determination to embody deep listening and to create spaces where all belong. She has served learning communities in the USA and Asia. As Chief Learning Officer, Erin marries her passion for research with a drive to continually grow through collaboration.

Ayla Reau

Chief Compliance Officer

Ayla Reau

Chief Compliance Officer

Ayla is dedicated to providing students with the practices and scaffolds to build their independence and agency. As a full-time special education teacher, she sees the potential of the MARIO Framework for her students and for all learners across any educational context.

Jessica Hess

School Success Coordinator

Jessica Hess

School Success Coordinator

Jess cares deeply about learners and is determined to see the potential of The MARIO Framework realized. She has worked closely with children and teens in the US foster care system and currently works one-to-one with students in applied behavior analysis therapy.

Emmy Thamakaison

Product Manager

Emmy Thamakaison

Product Manager

Emmy is neurodivergent herself and advocated for a more inclusive world as a high school student under Philip Bowman’s mentorship. She is an undergrad student studying Symbolic Systems—a combination of Computer Science and the Humanities—at Stanford University.

Jackie Greenwood

Safeguarding Specialist

Jackie Greenwood

Safeguarding Specialist

Jackie, as a school counselor of 17 years, is passionate about child wellbeing. She also serves on the ISC Taskforce Counselor Education Team and is a child protection specialist and trainer. Currently, she is Head of Counseling and Wellbeing at Fairgreen International School in Dubai.

Taryn McBrayne

Professional Learning Coordinator

Taryn McBrayne

Professional Learning Coordinator

Taryn’s MARIO journey began while co-teaching in Philip Bowman’s classroom. Now, she uses the power of student voice to create meaningful learning experiences for all. As Professional Learning Coordinator, Taryn helps educators around the globe begin their own MARIO journeys.

Our Partners

The following organizations support our mission to empower and connect exceptional learners, educators, family members, and school administrators.

MARIO Educational Advisory Council

Led by Philip Bowman, we are a team of fifteen special educators that are always reviewing the best research and evolving our framework as a result. Researchers and thought leaders guide our work, but we take pride in being teachers and administrators that are on the ground at the intersection of theory and practice.

Frankie Garbutt

Neuhof Schulen Munich

Gina Lloyd

Fairgreen International School

Jay Lingo

Hong Kong Academy

Joanna Brown

International School Azerbaijan

Khullood Rahman

On Sabbatical

Lise Gauvreau

AFNORTH International School

Matt Barker

International School Bangkok

Michael Ho

International School Bangkok

Mick Stevenson

International School Bangkok

Nika Espinosa

American International School of Johannesburg

Rachel Bodily

International School of Amsterdam

Rebecca Lebel

International School Bangkok

Special Advisors

Gautam Patel

Strategic Leadership

Managing Director of Tarsadia Investments

Katie Novak, Ed.D

Education and Learning

Founder and CEO of Novak Education

Philip Bradley

Education & Learning

Educational Leader for 35+ Years

Mary Cunney

Marketing

Chief Marketing & Communications Officer at Nanotronics

Akshay Patel

Software Development

Staff Software Engineer at Meta

Sunil Patel

Legal

Legal Counsel at Meta

Chris Smith

Software Visualisation

Data Specialist at Singapore American School

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Sustainability Statement

All of us at MARIO Framework recognize our responsibility as ethical guardians of our planet. We are committed to minimizing the impact our organization has on the environment and supporting those who are working to improve global sustainability in all its forms (environmental, social, and economic).

About us

Empower Life-Long Self-Directed Learning

A Global Presence

Gina Lloyd

Ashley Parnell

Shekufeh Monadjem

MARIO Framework at Your School

The Story of the MARIO Movement

MARIO Educational Advisory Council

Special Advisors

Sustainability Statement