Did You Know?
Dr. Dukes has spent his career moving between classroom instruction, school-level administration, and state-level policy work—a journey that has given him a unique perspective on how schools operate at every level.
Responsibilities at JPT
As Principal of J. Paul Truluck Creative Arts and Science Magnet School, Dr. Dukes provides visionary leadership for our academic mission, school culture, and strategic initiatives. He works to ensure that every student experiences rigorous academics, authentic arts integration, and genuine community connection through our CONNECT, EXPLORE, and CREATE framework.
Education
Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership, Coastal Carolina University
Master of Science in Educational Leadership, Arkansas State University
Master of Arts in Teaching, Coastal Carolina University
Bachelor of Arts, Coastal Carolina University
Professional Experience
Dr. Dukes brings more than 14 years of educational experience to his role as principal. Most recently, he served as Charter School Program Manager at the South Carolina Department of Education, where he provided technical assistance and guided the development of high-quality programs for charter school developers, faculty and staff, authorizers, and board members across the state. Prior to his work at the state level, he spent six years as an Assistant Principal at both South Florence High School and Williams Middle School in Florence 1 Schools. He also served as a Social Studies teacher for five years at South Florence High.
Dr. Dukes is a passionate educator with a deep commitment to academic excellence and student success. His strong background in both classroom instruction and school administration, coupled with his experience at the state level, reflects his belief that educational leadership requires understanding schools from multiple perspectives—from the classroom to district-wide policy. He is excited to lead J. Paul Truluck into a new era of innovation and achievement.