TRAVIS DUNCAN, Assistant Principal
Q: What do you do here at Wakefield?
A: I am one of the assistant principals over ninth grade, last names J through Z.
Q: What is your educational background?
A: I got my undergrad, my bachelor’s of science degree from Radford University, which is in Virginia. I got my master’s in english and rhetoric composition from University of Central Florida in Orlando, and then I completed my doctorate in admin license at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in educational leadership.
Q: Have you always wanted to become an assistant principal?
A: I started as a substitute teacher in Orlando and Miami and didn’t see myself working in middle school or high school, because I wanted to teach in college, but then I quickly found out that I really liked it, so I kind of found myself. Then, after I had taught for about six years, I decided I could make a bigger difference as an administrator, so I moved into that role.
Q: If you were not an assistant principal what would you be?
A: I would definitely be in education somehow, but probably as a writer.
Q: What do you like doing outside of school?
A: I enjoy staying active and hiking, kayaking, anything you can do outside. I enjoy reading, spending time with my daughter. I have a nine-year-old. And then just family and friends, family is very important as well.
Q: How do you like Wakefield so far?
A: I was at Wakefield Middle several years ago, so I’m familiar with the Wakefield community for the most part. But I like Wakefield High School a lot better than Wakefield Middle. I think it’s the high school change because I’ve always worked in middle school up until now.
Q: What is your favorite song or artist and why?
A: I’d say one of my favorites is a classic, and my daughter’s named after her, and that’s Nina Simone. I don’t know if she’s my absolute favorite, but she’s definitely one of my favorites.
Q: Do you have any advice for students at Wakefield?
A: Don’t follow the crowd, be yourself, make your own decisions and focus on academics and why you’re here so you can graduate and do whatever it is you want to do next, because what you do now matters, especially from the ninth grade up.