Dr. Duarte began her teaching career in 2002 at Pālolo Elementary and Jarrett Middle Schools teaching Hawaiian Studies. She transitioned to Wahiawa Middle school as a classroom teacher and then a curriculum specialist. In 2016, she entered administration working at Waialua Elementary and ʻAiea High School before taking on Principalship at Kīpapa Elementary. She holds a B.Ed in Secondary Education in Family and Consumer Sciences, an M.Ed in Curriculum Studies and a Ph.D. in Educational Administration all from the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa. She also currently works as an adjunct professor at UH Mānoa.