Reggie Duncan is an education program specialist in the USPTO's Office of Education, where he plans, develops, implements, and evaluates major national educational projects. He is also an alumnus of the USPTO's National Summer Teacher Institute (NSTI) on innovation, science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM), and intellectual property.
Prior to joining the USPTO, Reggie was a 5th grade mathematics and science teacher for 14 years. In 2016, Reggie received the Presidential Award for Mathematics and Science Teaching (PAEMST), which is the highest honor bestowed by the United States government for K-12 teachers of STEM.
During his time as a classroom teacher, Reggie was an Illinois Council of Teachers of Mathematics Excellence in Elementary Teaching recipient and later served on the ICTM Board of Directors. He has served as a Global STEM Trainer for STEM Revolution and as a consultant on various projects for the Illinois State Board of Education, where he was featured on the Ed Leaders Network. As an Area Teacher Leader for the ISBE I-STEM project, Reggie facilitated STEM professional development and implemented STEM lessons for his students featuring engineers from the Illinois Department of Transportation and The Boeing Company. In his classroom, students attended to precision in mathematical language, as he facilitated discourse promoting productive struggle and a growth mindset. Reggie also served as a facilitator for INTEL Math, a nationally recognized professional development program in conjunction with Change the Equation—a coalition that seeks to raise STEM literacy for students across the United States.
Reggie is currently the Illinois PAEMST Alumni Representative and a Teach Plus Affinity Group Facilitator, where he champions the recruitment, support, and retention of educators of color. He shares his experience and passion for STEM education for all on the Dee Howard International Education Foundation Teacher Advisory Council. He earned his Master of Education in elementary education degree from McKendree University.