Dr. Derek R. McDowell

Dr. Derek R. McDowell was recently appointed as the Executive Director of the Arkansas School for Mathematics, Sciences, and the Arts (ASMSA) in Hot Springs, Arkansas.
Dedicated to serving as an educational change agent, Dr. McDowell focuses on building educator and leader capacity to advance teaching and learning outcomes across all disciplines. Dr. McDowell’s 30 years in education have involved science instruction,
instructional coaching, coordination of curriculum, supervision of instructional programs, student data evaluation, and job-embedded professional development for both new and experienced teachers. Dr. McDowell has expertise in instructional coaching models, the change process, backwards planning design and high-yield
instructional strategies.

Prior to his appointment at ASMSA, Dr. McDowell gained extensive K-12 district leadership experience in public education, serving as the Director of Secondary Academics for Amarillo ISD and as the Secondary Science Curriculum Coordinator for Frisco ISD, where he supported hundreds of teachers and instructional coaches. Before
transitioning to secondary education, Dr. McDowell served as an Assistant Professor of Chemistry at Wittenberg University and then Lyon College, where he also contributed as the Young House Faculty Resident Mentor.

His leadership extends to the national level; he recently served on the Board of Directors for the National Science Education Leadership Association (NSELA) and is a former Board President of the Texas Science Education Leadership Association (TSELA). A frequent keynote speaker and workshop trainer, he regularly presents on instructional coaching, professional learning models, and intentional curriculum design.

Dr. McDowell, a native of Corning, AR, holds a Ph.D. in Physical Chemistry from Rice University, a Master of Education in Educational Administration from Lamar University, and dual Bachelor of Science degrees in Chemistry and Mathematics (cum laude) from Lyon College in Batesville, AR. He holds professional certifications as a Superintendent, Principal, and Secondary Composite Sciences Teacher.