Chance Duncan was recently hired to join the University of the Ozarks faculty starting in the 2026 Fall Semester as an instructor of science and science education.
Duncan has nearly 20 years of teaching experience in the areas of biology, medical sciences and natural sciences in the Arkansas River Valley, including at Russellville, Atkins, Greenbrier and Magazine school districts. He has also served as a staff educator at University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) and as an instructor for the Arkansas Governor’s School.
“I have always had a huge amount of respect for Ozarks,” Duncan said. “I have brought students to Science Day and gotten to know many of the faculty. That I am now joining them is more profound than I can put into words.”
Born in Russellville and raised in Dardanelle, Duncan earned a bachelor’s degree in life and earth science education from Arkansas Tech University and a master’s degree in science education from Montana State University.
He said his teaching style is centered around student engagement.
“I engage students in inquiry, critical thinking, research, and laboratory investigations that push the limits of what they think they can achieve and challenge them to go further,” he said. “I am deeply passionate not only about my subject, but about ensuring that students in my classroom clearly see that their time is valuable and their time with me is worthwhile. I’m unafraid to nerd out about things and I love approaching topics from unexpected angles and creating the cognitive dissonance necessary for learning to take place.”
Duncan serves as a lead advocate for Society for Science, whose national efforts are to strengthen STEM education in secondary schools. He also served as the Science Department Team Lead at Russellville High School and as a virtual science teacher for the Missouri Connections Academy.
A self-described “reptile guy,” Duncan enjoys the outdoors and spending time with his dogs—Jinkx and Sybil—as well as with “several scaly friends that don’t have set names.”
Topics: Faculty Spotlights