Majoring in theater for the second time and minoring in education, Fowler completed his education by split student teaching at Coppell Middle School North and Coppell High School. Mentored by CMSN theater teacher Brittany Reese, he was set on his career in the theater department.

“Education was not his first career, but you could tell that education filled him with joy,” Reese said via email. “He quickly realized that education was his calling and being an educator was just natural for him.”

However, due to the Coppell ISD unavailability for a theater position, he began working as a paraprofessional at CHS. 

“I needed a job,” Fowler said. “And I thought if this doesn’t work out, I’ll figure out something else.”

After falling in love with the position, he earned his SPED certification, becoming a special education teacher at CHS.

“He’s so genuine, and he makes the students feel like family here,” CHS paraprofessional Jeyanthini Maria said. “He’s full of fun, and his teacher-student approach is so beautiful to watch.”

In terms of his Coppell theater career, Fowler built his reputation from the ground up.

“Once I moved back here, I had to get my foot back in the door again because I’d been away for a while, and nobody knew who I was,” Fowler said. “So I started building again from the bottom, and I do about five shows a year now.”

His current role as the manager of the song and dance team in “Holiday Inn” debuts from December 4-21 at the Firehouse Theatre in Farmers Branch.

“Doug is a very reassuring and calming presence in the cast,” “Holiday Inn” director Ashley Gonzales said. “He’s incredibly dependable, and he approaches his work with a good sense of play.”