DiAnn McDown, Ed.D.

DiAnn McDown, Ed.D., currently serves as an associate professor in the Curriculum and Instruction Department. As part of the elementary education program at UCO, she teaches, advises and mentors elementary education and early childhood majors in the area of reading and literacy instruction. DiAnn completed her bachelor's and masters' degrees at Southwestern Oklahoma State University in Weatherford, Oklahoma. After teaching 12 years in public schools, she worked as a doctoral teaching and research assistant at Sam Houston State University in Huntsville, Texas, while completing her doctoral studies. In 2011, after completing her doctorate in reading/literacy, she joined the teacher education faculty at the University of Central Oklahoma. 

• Assessment and Intervention of Reading K-3  ELED 4263/5263
• Language Arts and Multicultural Literature  ELED 4283/5283
• Teaching Reading in the Primary Grades  ELED 4063/5063
• Literature Based Language Arts  ELED 5223

ACADEMIC BACKGROUND

Ed.D.              Education, Sam Houston State University, Huntsville, Texas

2011                Emphasis Area: Reading and Literacy

M.Ed.             Education, Southwestern Oklahoma State University, Weatherford, Oklahoma

1997                Emphasis Area: Elementary Education

B.S.                 Recreation, Southwestern Oklahoma State University, Weatherford, Oklahoma

1991                Emphasis Area: Recreation Leadership

CERTIFICATION AREAS

Elementary Education, K-8                           Oklahoma State Department of Education

Mild-Moderate Disabilities, PK-12                Oklahoma State Department of Education

Middle School Language Arts                      Oklahoma State Department of Education

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Aug. 2018-present                 Associate Professor, College of Education & Professional Studies, 

                                                 University of Central Oklahoma, Edmond, Oklahoma

Aug. 2011-2017                     Assistant Professor, College of Education & Professional Studies,

                                                University of Central Oklahoma, Edmond, Oklahoma

Jan. 2008-May 2011              Doctoral Teaching and Research Assistant, College of Education,

                                                 Sam Houston State University, Huntsville, Texas

Jan. 1996-Dec. 2007              Public School Teacher, Clinton Public Schools, Clinton, Oklahoma

                                                Alternative School k-12, elementary grades 1-4, Gifted & Talented

                                                Grade 4, Title I Reading & Literacy Coach Grades 2-4

• Academic Leadership Fellows Academy, 2020-2021
• UCO Grant Scholars Award, Academic Years 2012-13, 2013-14
• Outstanding Students in Language, Literacy & Special Populations Reading Doctoral Scholarships-Sam Houston State University, 2008-2011

In her free time, DiAnn enjoys the outdoors, working in her gardens, spending time at the beach, lake, or pretty much anywhere she can enjoy nature. She also enjoys reading, music, crafting, community theatre, and mostly, spending time with family and spoiling her grandkids. 

In all my teaching experiences, regardless of age, I have strived to encourage students to be critical thinkers. I firmly believe well-prepared teachers who can think for themselves are able to handle any teaching assignment, regardless of the challenges. I am appreciative of those handful of educators from my past who both encouraged and challenged me, and am passionate to support the next generation of educators.