Eric Duncan, J.D.
Director of P-12 Policy – Educator Diversity
Eric Duncan is the director for P-12 policy, specializing in policies related to educator quality and increasing the racial diversity of the educator workforce.
Eric previously was a state policy advisor at WestEd, where he supported the organization’s federal and state policy strategy. Prior to that, Eric worked as a senior program associate at CCSSO, where he supported state efforts to diversify the teaching workforce and ensure that teachers are culturally responsive in practice through the Diverse and Learner-Ready Teachers Initiative. He also worked as the director of district initiatives at the National Council on Teacher Quality, where he supported the development of a student teaching project with three large school districts across the country and led the organization’s communications efforts to promote evidence-based teacher quality research. Before that, Eric worked at the U.S. Department of Education, Office of the Secretary, as a LEE public policy fellow. He was a member of My Brother’s Keeper Task Force and supported the Department’s work on teacher diversity. Eric started his career in Atlanta as a high school social studies teacher. He received his undergraduate degree at Emory University and has a juris doctor from Wake Forest University.
Superpower/Secret Talent
Sports trivia savant and semi-professional karaoke singer
What are people most surprised to learn about you?
I don’t like chocolate.
What drew you to education?
I have always wanted to be involved in improving conditions for people of color. Education always felt like the most impactful way to do so – plus I love children.
Why are you passionate about working at Ed Trust?
The equity focus, humble approach, and thoughtful way that the organization approaches issues related to education. Plus, John King…need I say more?
