Brian S. McKinney
Education
MA, Teaching English as a Second Language, University of Central Oklahoma (2017)
BA, English with minor in Modern Languages-Spanish, University of Central Oklahoma (2015)
Areas of Interest & Expertise
Second language development research with a focus on the psychology of language learning and contemplative pedagogy in multilingual and immigrant education contexts. Specific interests include Vygotskian Sociocultural Theory, mindfulness-based pedagogies, second language writing, curriculum development and assessment, and adult and community-based education.
Selected Publications
Book Chapters
McKinney, B. S. (2025). Compassionate pedagogy in second language education. In H. Wang & J. Flory (Eds.), Curriculum as Lived: Currere, Mindfulness and Nonviolent Companionship (pp. TBD). Emerald Publishing. https://doi.org/10.1108/978-1-80592-164-620251021
Journal Articles
McKinney, B. S. (2025). LyricsTraining and LingoClip. CALICO Journal, 42(2), 336–344. https://doi.org/10.3138/calico-2024-0005
Other Publications
McKinney, B. S., Williams, J., & Wessinger, L. (Forthcoming). On (Writing) Families: Exploring Kinship, Love, and Loss in Autoethnographic Narratives.
Walvoord, M., & McKinney, B. S. (May 2016). Promoting Tutoring Central as an Avenue to Transformation. Transformative Teacher-Scholar: Center for Excellence in Transformative Teaching & Learning (CETTL) Monthly E-publication.
https://tts.uco.edu/promoting-tutoring-central-as-an-avenue-to-transformation/
McKinney, B. (November 2012). Book review: American Indian Literature and Anthology, Alan R. Velie. New Plains Review. Edmond: UCO–New Plains Review. https://www.uco.edu/cla/academics/english/publications
Selected Conference Presentations
Featured & Invited Talks
McKinney, B. (November 2025). Affect in language education. Guest lecture for the Teaching English as a Second Language (4043/5243) course at Oklahoma State University.
McKinney, B. (October 2025). Emotions in academic writing: What applied linguistics can teach us. Workshop for the Department of English at Oklahoma State University.
McKinney, B. & Rahmati, P. (September 2023). AI for language learners. Invited talk presented at Friends of Oklahoma Language Studies. Stillwater, OK.
McKinney, B. & Gosset, C. (June 2023). Mindfulness in language learning. Session presented at the OSU English Language and Intercultural Center Well-Being Day Retreat, St. Francis of the Woods, Stillwater, OK.
Conference Presentations
McKinney, B. (April 2025). Pedagogical tools for mediating cognition-and-emotion in second language instruction. Presented at the 42nd Annual Multicultural Education Institute. University of Central Oklahoma, Edmond, OK. https://www.uco.edu/ceps/academics/cni/mei
McKinney, B. (March 2024). Compassionate pedagogy in second language education. Presented at A Call of Our Time: Awakenings to Nonviolence in Curriculum and Education. Tulsa, OK. https://education.okstate.edu/site-files/documents/stles/osu-nonviolence-conference-program3.pdf
McKinney, B., Nicklas, R., Takebe, A. & Amory, M. (April 2022). Building and launching an intensive language program during the pandemic. Presented at the 7th Annual TESL & Applied Linguistics Spring Forum. Stillwater, OK.
McKinney, B., & Stephenson, A. (March 2018). Tutors on the Move. Using Peer-Tutoring to Connect with ESL Students in the Oklahoma City Metropolitan Community. Presented at the 2018 Transformative Learning Conference in Oklahoma City, OK. https://jotl.uco.edu/index.php/jotl/article/view/344/214
McKinney, B. (March 2016). Community in the Age of Capitalism: An Analysis of Contemporary American Indian Poetry. Presented at the Popular Culture Association (PCA) 2016 Conference in Seattle, WA.
McKinney, B. (March 2015). Alisoun in “The Miller’s Tale:” A Fourteenth Century Image of a Third Wave Feminist. Presented at the National Conference on Undergraduate Research (NCUR) 2015 Conference at Eastern Washington University in Spokane, WA.
Academic and Professional Appointments
Graduate Teaching Assistant, Department of English, Oklahoma State University (2021-2025)
Assistant Director, English Language & Intercultural Center, Oklahoma State University (2023 – 2024)
Instructor & Language Specialist, English Language & Intercultural Center, Oklahoma State University (2021 – 2024)
Grant Coordinator, Project ENGAGE, University of Central Oklahoma (2019 – 2021)
Adjunct Instructor, Bilingual Education/TESOL Department, University of Central Oklahoma (2020 – 2021)
ELL Coordinator & Literacy Instructor, Santa Fe South Charter High School, Oklahoma City (2017 – 2019)
Administrative Assistant I, Tutoring Central, University of Central Oklahoma (2015 – 2017)
ESL Conversation Coordinator & Writing Tutor, Tutoring Central, University of Central Oklahoma (2014 – 2015)
Professional Service
- Graduate Student Representative, Department Head Search Committee, Department of English, OSU (Spring 2026)
- Advisory Board Member, English Language & Intercultural Center, OSU (2025–Present)
- CEA Accreditation Lead, English Language & Intercultural Center, Oklahoma State University (2023–2024)
- TESOL & Linguistics Summit Committee Member, OSU (2023)
- Secretary, TESLing Student Association, OSU (2021–2023)
- Technology Director & Committee Member, Multicultural Education Institute, UCO (2020–2022)
- Reading Buddies Volunteer, Foundation for Oklahoma City Public Schools (2019–2020)
Dissertation
Contemplative Pedagogy and the Development of Conscious Awareness: A Microgenetic Study of International Students’ Perezhivaniya During First-Semester Study Abroad
- Committee: Dr. Michael Amory (Chair), Dr. Steph Link, Dr. An Cheng, Dr. Jane Vogler
- Expected completion: May 2026
Courses Taught
ENGL 1123: International Freshman Composition I — Oklahoma State University, Spring 2025
Academic Literacy II — English Language & Intercultural Center, 2021–2024
Academic Literacy III — English Language & Intercultural Center, 2021–2024
Academic Interactions I — English Language & Intercultural Center, 2021–2024
University Immersion — English Language & Intercultural Center, 2021–2024
Community English — English Language & Intercultural Center, 2021–2024
TESL 5763: Second Language Acquisition — University of Central Oklahoma, Fall 2020
TESL 5212: Cultural and Linguistic Diversity — University of Central Oklahoma, Spring 2021
ELL Literacy — Santa Fe South Charter High School, Oklahoma City, 2017–2019
Newcomer English — Santa Fe South Charter High School, Oklahoma City, 2017–2019
Adult ESL — Community Literacy Centers, Oklahoma City, 2019
Grants
UCO NEXUS Bilingual Education Project ($2.9M) — U.S. Department of Education (Co-Developer, 2019–2021) - link
ENGAGE: Equipping a New Generation for Academic Growth and Excellence ($2.5M) — U.S. Department of Education (Grant Coordinator, 2019–2021) - link
CLIC: The Content, Language, and Instruction Confluence at Oklahoma State University’s English Language and Intercultural Center ($69,999; $19,256 match from OSU Global) — Ministry of Education of Japan (Co-Developer, 2023–2024) - link
Afghan Refugee Resettlement and English Services ($158,780) — Department of Human Services, OSU Global (Co-Developer, 2021–2022) - link
ELIC English Classes for Stillwater Community ($2,920 raised of $5,000 goal) — OSU Foundation Philanthropete Campaign (Project Co-Owner, Fall 2023) - link
Awards
TESLing Student Association Award for Excellence in Leadership, OSU (2023)
Gene B. Halleck Annual Award for Outstanding Student Teacher, OSU (2021, 2022)
Georgia Price Hensley Graduate Scholarship, Department of English, OSU (2021)
Volunteer of the Year, Foundation for Oklahoma City Public Schools (2020)
Professional Development
Level 1 Mindfulness in Education Teacher Certification, WakeUp Schools (2025) — link
Mental Health First Aid Adult Provider Certification, National Council for Mental Wellbeing (2025) — link
Mindfulness & Well-Being: Foundations Course Certificate, Rice University (2024)
eLearning Facilitation Course, Center for eLearning and Connected Environments (CeCE), University of Central Oklahoma (2020)
Certified Supplemental Instruction Program Supervisor, University of Central Oklahoma (2016)