Dr. RT Duke is a Montana native and graduate of Carroll College in Helena, Montana, where he majored in English Literature and Writing with an emphasis on Secondary Education. Seeking adventure, RT taught in Ankara, Turkey straight out of college, seeing the world and learning how to teach, or rather, how NOT to teach. After a year in Turkey, RT ventured back stateside to New York City, teaching 6th and 7th grade ELA at M.S. 167 in Manhattan. During that time, RT earned his Master's Degree in School Administration.

After five years in New York, RT yearned to be back west, and he found his first administration position in the Department of Juvenile Corrections as the principal of the school in Nampa. While this was rewarding yet challenging, RT missed the classroom, and he returned to teaching at South Junior High in Boise teaching 7th grade and 9th grade English, while coaching basketball, track, and football. He also earned his Doctorate from the University of Idaho and welcomed two wonderful children to the world. Unexpectedly, RT applied for and accepted the English Language Arts Supervisor position with the Boise School District. But after four years, RT felt the pull of the classroom again, and he returned to teaching at Boise High School, where he currently works.

RT is a student of education. While earning his Doctorate, RT delved into the history of education in America, studying the political forces behind multiple movements, while also recognizing the importance of unions for ALL educators. Recently, RT has started a business that emphasizes the very real and very pressing issue of the wellbeing of educators because it is, as he believes, one of the most critical issues facing our country today. RT is passionate about spreading his message of self-care and empowerment so that all educators can live a more meaningful life in what seems to be a never ending affront to the professionals that took up the banner to call themselves educators. It is RT's belief that without healthy, autonomous educators, the education system as a whole will not be able to serve students in the way that it can and will. Finally, RT envisions an educational system where all educators work as one, setting aside differences, to truly confront the political and private interests that are determined to dismantle the last great melting pot in America: Public Education.