Meet The New Evergreen Park Community High School Principal Matt Dugan

EVERGREEN PARK, IL — Oak Lawn native Matt Dugan, 38, has started his first year this week as principal of Evergreen Park Community High School. He brings a wealth of experience in education, most recently serving as assistant principal at J. Sterling Morton West High School in west suburban Cicero. Dugan lives in Lockport with his wife, Stephanie, and 2-year-old daughter Avery.

Dugan earned a bachelor’s degree from Saint Xavier University in 2008 and a master’s degree from Concordia University in 2012, and is currently completing his doctoral program from the University of St. Francis. He is a 2003 graduate of Richards High School in Oak Lawn.

PATCH: You grew up in this area. What made you want to come back?

DUGAN: I wanted to come back to the South Side because I have such great memories of growing up here and having fun. Just being over here, going to Saint Xavier University in this community and making so many friends here. I’m truly honored and grateful to be here.

I attended Kolmar Elementary School, McGugan Junior High and graduated from Richards High School. I went to CCD at St. Catherine.

PATCH: What is your earliest memory of school?

DUGAN: My earliest memory of school is playing Captain Hook in “Peter Pan” in kindergarten. I went to the Sandbox in Palos Heights because it was a full day. My mom raised me as a single parent. She taught at Palos West for 35 years Palos Dist. 118.

PATCH: What kind of activities were you involved in at Richards?

DUGAN: I was a big sports guy – football, basketball, tennis – and I was part of the National Honor Society. I genuinely enjoyed high school and liked getting involved in school as much as possible. Part of what inspired me to go into education and a kind of catalyst in my career path was seeing how much fun my mom had as a teacher helping students along their path.

PATCH: What made you want to become a high school principal?

DUGAN: A big driving force behind my becoming a principal is that I truly loved the impact and positive change on students as a teacher. Going into administration, you can continue to do so, but you just have a bigger reach. I loved making long term plans and seeing the positive rewards for staff, students and families. That is truly the rewarding part about the job.

PATCH: What are your goals for your first year?

DUGAN: I’m walking into an already amazing school, so that is something I’m very fortunate about. I’m walking into a highly functioning school. I’m taking what’s there and continuing to grow and expand.

We’re just making processes more efficient for everybody. We’re continuing to expand course opportunities, and dual credit opportunities that are afforded to our students. We’re continuing to grow our AP program and showcase the amazings our students are doing.

PATCH: What are you looking forward to most in the new school year?

DUGAN: So far it has been amazing. Everyone has treated me so warmly. It has been so great to collaborate with people on things. This is an amazing staff. People are bouncing things off each other to make things better for students and staff.

I think what I'm looking forward to most is getting involved in all the school activities, getting to know our students, the families and being wholly invested in the Evergreen Park community.

PATCH: So many schools are facing staff shortages. How is staff retention at EPCHS?

DUGAN: We actually haven’t a staff shortage. One of the questions I asked during the interview process was about teacher retention. Everyone said the same thing, that the teachers here are amazing. We don’t have a high turnover because teachers genuinely enjoy being here and working with our students. That type of consistency is refreshing and letting students know that their teachers will be there for them every year.

PATCH: In recent years, there has been a big push to recruit students to attend Evergreen Park Community High School, especially because there are seven private high schools in the area. What are you doing to persuade families to consider public school?

DUGAN: As a product of a public high school right down the street, I really want to showcase how amazing high school this is. I was blown away not only at the sports complex, new auditorium and library, but the academic rigor and preparation for students. I think Evergreen Park Community High School offers both that private high schools can’t because of our community offerings. For families in the community I truly hope they take advantage or at least consider us, that is a public high school they want their child to attend. We can get students into college or in the trades, if that’s what they want to do. We want students to love it here.

PATCH: What are your thoughts on school safety?

DUGAN: The number one priority of any school is to provide a safe environment for our students. We’re very fortunate that we don’t have major issues but that doesn’t mean we’re not going to be proactive and make sure we don’t have issues. Our students do a great job that if they ever saw anything they’d notify us. From everything I’ve heard the school has always managed to be proactive.

PATCH: What was your first job?

DUGAN: I worked at Panera Bread at Chicago Ridge Mall and 95th Street and Western Avenue.

PATCH: What was the last movie you watched?

DUGAN: My daughter is in love with Moana. We watched it twice this week, maybe not the whole movie but we played the songs. It’s a great movie.

PATCH: What are you reading?

DUGAN: I love to think of myself as a science nerd. The book I’m reading is “Astrophysics for People In A Hurry” by Neil deGrasse Tyson.

PATCH: What advice do you have for EPCHS students as they start a new school year?

DUGAN: My advice to students would be to get involved in a club or sport, ask lots of questions, and to challenge themselves while at EPCHS.