From Cyclone to Buffalo, Emily Dugger’s passion of learning and giving back to others has never wavered.

Due to her work in and out of the classroom, the Elizabethton native and current Milligan College graduate received the college’s Outstanding Intern (K-12) Award on Tuesday, April 17.

Dugger’s passion for teaching has been credited to several instructors she encountered during her time at Elizabethton High School and Milligan. Some of the EHS teachers highlighted by Dugger includes Vera Peters, John Oakley, Sara Hardin and Perry Elliott, who she noted were positive influences to peak her interest into pursuing a profession in teaching.

At Milligan, one of the professor’s credited for Dugger’s interest in education is Milligan professor Leslie Hanneken, who helped influence her drive and passion for physical education.

Another professor highlighted at Milligan is Dr. Billye Joyce Fine. In Dugger’s Introduction to Education class, Dr. Fine had students read the book “Molder of Dreams,” which proved to be an “eye opener” for Dugger as a way to reflect back on the teachers that made an impact on her life.

After obtaining an undergraduate degree from Milligan in May 2017 for Exercise Science, Dugger, a current graduate student at Milligan, entered into the school’s M.E.D. program in summer of that same year to pursue a physical education degree. Dugger is currently a part-time employee through Elizabethton City Schools where she serves as a childcare provider for the extended school program.

Dugger began interning in the Johnson City School System in the Fall of 2017. This internship has been an extremely rewarding experience for her. She has had the opportunity to intern with amazing mentors at North Side Elementary School, Indian Trail Intermediate School, and Science Hill High School.

Staying busy is nothing out of the ordinary for Dugger, a 2013 graduate from EHS. During her time at the school, Dugger was a member of the Lady Cyclone softball team, the EHS cheerleading squad, and was a color guard member in the EHS Betsy Band which won two State Championships during her four years in high school. She is the daughter of Brent and Suzanne Dugger and is the granddaughter of the late former Elizabethton City Schools Superintendent, T.A. Dugger, Jr.

Dugger also comes from a long line of educators. Her mother, Suzanne, is a Pre-K teacher in the Elizabethton City School System. She also has several aunts and cousins on both sides of her family who presently are or have been teachers in various school systems throughout East Tennessee.