WKU News

The Governor Louie B. Nunn Kentucky Teacher Hall of Fame has a new inductee.

Nancy Hall Duncan spent decades teaching subjects like home economics and science, all while writing grants to get other programs for students off the ground.

WKU’s Amy Bingham has more in this week's View from the Hill.

“As I became a teacher I realized my mom was almost super woman."

It was Pam Duncan who nominated her mother Nancy for the 11th class of the Governor Louie B. Nunn Kentucky Teacher Hall of Fame. 

"To be a wonderful wife, to be a wonderful mother, to be a wonderful church member and influence all these lives in education.”

Many of the people Duncan impacted over the years gathered at the state Capitol to see her receive this honor. 

“I’ve always been the teacher, I’ve always wanted my students to shine.  I’ve always wanted them to be important.  For me to be brought out is not characteristic of my personality.  I’m a background person.”

In addition to teaching Home Economics and Science, Duncan started programs like a science fair, a dinner theatre, even an in-school nursery.

"Despite it being frowned up, she wrote a grant for a nursery at Woodford County High School."

“At the high school I had students that were dropping out because they had young children.  Well, I wasn’t there to judge them, I was there to educate them.”

Pam says when she started teaching, she realized all her mother had juggled. 

“As I started teaching I started seeing women instead of my mom in places where the nursery was and where the ESS programs were and I thought we have a different person that does all of this.  Mom did all that when she was here, by herself!”

Earning a spot in history.

 “If there is ever a member for the Hall of Fame It is my mom, there is no doubt about that.”

Duncan began her career at Auburn High School in 1965 and retired from Woodford County High School in '98. WKU is the home of the Kentucky Teacher Hall of Fame which was created in 2000 through a gift from former Governor Louie B. Nunn. 

• More: Read more about the 2019 induction ceremony