LifeChanger of the Year Nominee Profile

Teri Dugan was nominated by her friend, Laura Bella.

Ms. Dugan began her teaching career 32 years ago at Lynwood High School in 1988. Her first assignments included P.E. and Life Science. She also had a love and passion for tennis and softball from her days as an athlete in her youth, which inspired her to coach the varsity teams. She excelled at coaching athletes and brought the tennis team to seven straight San Gabriel Valley League Championships and CIF Quarterfinals. Ms. Dugan knew she always wanted to give back in the areas of teaching and coaching, so she gave her life to it.

In addition to teaching and coaching, Ms. Dugan served for five years as the girls' athletic director, which is quite an accomplishment. Her teaching career was so impactful that she was elected as the science department chair, and she served in that position for about half of her career. She continued to teach various science classes that served the diversity of her students.

"Teri demonstrated her heart in so many examples throughout her tenure as an educator, mentor, coach and director," said Bella. "One of those ways was through the Christian Club, which she will miss once she retires. She is proud and grateful that she created a place for her students to come during lunch if they needed a safe place to be. It was a core value of hers to show her students how important is was for them to have a place to go during their free time, and to know they had a teacher that cared. Teri's dedication to excellence, character-building and mentoring our youth will be greatly missed at Lynwood High School. We are grateful for the legacy she has left for our youth. It will be cherished forever."