My name is Reggie Duncan and this is my 14th year of teaching. I will be teaching Mathematics, Science, and Social Studies and I am the Safety Patrol Coordinator for WES. Outside of school, I am an educational consultant and former Director-At-Large for the Illinois Council of Teachers of Mathematics. I have facilitated teacher training across the state as well as internationally in Mathematics and STEM education

In years past, I was selected to be a Global STEM Trainer and delivered training in Dubai for 1.5 weeks to K - 8 teachers with the assistance of a translator. I used some of the knowledge during that training to implement Passion Projects with our 5th-grade students which proved to be invaluable during our remote instruction. We stayed in contact as a class during my time away and were able to share lots of amazing sights and cultural information with our classes. Recently, I have been selected to be an Illinois Affinity Group Network Facilitator through the Illinois State Board of Education and currently serve on the Dee Howard International Education Foundation Teacher Advisory Council with fellow PAEMST (Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching) and Teacher of the Year awardees.

A few summers ago, I traveled to Tokyo, Japan and taught English lessons in Japanese elementary schools with a mission team from St. Louis. I also attended a National Teacher's Air Camp in Dayton, OH where I was able to learn the basics of flight and fly an airplane (the landing was another story :). I love kids, family, sports, FOOD, music, traveling and experiencing new cultures, comic books, and teaching my nephews who's the boss on the videogame. I share my progress as a lifelong learner with my students so they can see that I "practice what I preach" about always striving for growth and improvement.

I am passionate about making sure all of my students know our classroom is a safe and inclusive space where diversity of ideas and mistakes are welcomed, celebrated, and learned from. I am a firm believer in being a lifelong learner as an adult especially if we have the same expectation for our students. I absolutely believe respect is earned and students that feel protected, respected, heard, and see respect modeled on a daily basis have fewer struggles with behavior choices and form healthier, mutually respectful relationships with their teachers and peers.

I received my Bachelor's degree from SIUE and my Master's in Elementary Education from McKendree University.

You can reach me via email at duncanr@msd19.org or by phone at (618) 746-4802.

"Thanks to Kari Jarlsberg for nominating the KPLR Tools for Teachers St. Louis winner, Reggie Duncan. He received a $500 gift card from Weber Chevrolet for his outstanding commitment to his students at Wingate Elementary in Belleville, IL. Mr. Duncan teaches 5th grade and continues to stay in touch with his students well after they leave his classroom. He values communication between himself and his students as well as making sure they understand he cares beyond the classroom."

If you know a teacher that deserves to the Tools for Teachers St. Louis award and win a $500 gift card from Weber Chevrolet, you can nominate them below.

kplr11.com/2017/01/18/nominate-a-tools-for-teachers-candidate/

This video created in conjunction with ISBE and the Illinois Principal's association is an example of the shifts in mathematical practices filmed at Scott Elementary School during the 2014-2015 school year. The goal in my classroom each day is for the students to be engaged, excited, and empowered by the material they explore during our lessons.