EHS Pillars - Spring 2018

ALAN DUNCAN
Computer Science Teacher and Coach
Alan Duncan is wrapping up his sixth year at
Episcopal High School but his 20th year as a
full‐time educator. His roles at Episcopal
include teaching computer science,
coaching freshman boys basketball,
and sponsoring the Computer
Science Club.
A proud native Houstonian,
Duncan is a graduate of Lamar
High School. He has been
married to his wife, Tanya, for
five years and they have two
children, Jazzmin and Jacob.
Duncan earned a B.S. in
Applied Mathematics from
Texas A&M University and his
M.S. in Management, Computing,
and Systems from Houston
Baptist University. After graduating
from A&M, he worked for eight years
in the oil and gas industry as a systems
programmer and database administrator.
"My teaching experience began in 1997 when
one of my professors in graduate school offered
me an opportunity to teach courses at the University of
Houston‐Downtown," says Duncan.
He found inspiration and purpose as a teacher and later worked at two HISD high schools and at Strake
Jesuit College Preparatory. Besides teaching, he is passionate about music and plays the trombone. A
career highlight was the chance to combine interests on a mission trip to Jamaica where he and his
student‐volunteers donated more than 75 band instruments, sheet music, and instructional booklets and
held five days of tutorials to start a student band at a Jesuit high school in Kingston.
What's on your playlist right now? Jonathan Batiste, A Tribe Called Quest, and the Brian Blade Fellowship.
What was the first concert you attended? Superfest starring Frankie Beverly and Maze, Guy, Kool
Moe Dee, and MC Hammer. If you weren't a teacher, what would you pick for a career? I would be
a disc jockey. I am fascinated with the various roles music plays in our lives. What is your proudest
accomplishment? Being a parent, husband, and a first generation college graduate. Do you have a
favorite app or tech gadget? My smart watch and Voice AIY (do‐it‐yourself artificial intelligence) that has
me entertaining the idea of artificial intelligence on campus. Did you have a mentor growing up who
inspired your career? My parents were my biggest supporters and mentors. Even though my parents
have not been with me for 20 years, their guidance continues to be most inspirational and enlightening. If
you could travel back in time, what period of history would you choose? Back to the future. What
trait do you most admire in your colleagues? The ability to communicate and share positive, optimistic,
and organized visions with and to young people. What trait do you most admire in your students? The
confidence that comes from practice and preparation. Read any good books recently? The 7 Habits of
Highly Effective People by Stephen Covey. If you could eat only one meal this week, what would it be?
My dad's BBQ and any one of my mother's homemade cakes.
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