Royal Oak Names New School Administrator

Kirk Duncan has been named Assistant Principal of Royal Oak Middle School.

“Kirk has a passion for public education,” Superintendent of Schools Shawn Lewis-Lakin said, according to a news release. “He has personally experienced the powerful positive impact that teacher and caring school personnel can make. We are all looking forward to working with him.”

Duncan comes to Royal Oak from the Birmingham Public School District, where he was teacher leader and administrative intern at Wylie E. Groves High School.

He has received numerous awards including the Friends of Different Learners Achievement Award. In addition, he led the effort to achieve the Character Education Partnership’s State School of Character Award and Promising Practices Award for Groves High School. Previously he was a teacher leader, teacher and coach in Fort Wayne and Kendallville high schools in Indiana.

Duncan received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Secondary Social Sciences from the University of Georgia and a Master of Arts Degree in Educational Leadership, K-12 Administration, from Eastern Michigan University. He is also a graduate of the Oakland County Schools Aspiring Principals Academy.

The Royal Oak Middle School position was open following the appointment of Joseph Youanes to Addams Elementary School Principal.

In filling the position, the district reviewed over 200 applications. Nine candidates were interviewed in first-round interviews, with three candidates coming back for a second-round interview in a selection process that involved teacher, administrator and parent representatives.