Substitute teacher Dan Dunnigan is a student favorite when filling in for absent teachers, bringing both a caring demeanor and a cheerful mood to every classroom he enters. He grew up in San Francisco and after graduating high school he attended the College of San Mateo (CSM), before transferring to the University of California, Berkeley where he graduated in 1992.

When Dunnigan was still attending CSM, he began working for former San Francisco Board of Supervisors member and California Senator Quentin L. Kopp. Dunnigan described himself as a “troubled youth” until he met Kopp, who influenced his pursuit of a law career by giving him direction in life.

In San Francisco, Dunnigan worked for multiple law firms and was involved in various political campaigns. Still, after attending one year at the University of San Francisco Law School, Dunnigan chose a different path. In 2000, he took a courageous leap and joined the San Francisco Fire Department (SFFD) where he worked for 16 years as an engine operator, coordinator, lieutenant and first responder. Yet, after 13 years of service for the SFFD, Dunnigan’s life changed forever.
“[On] June 13, 2013, I was swimming at the College of Marin with North Bay Aquatics and I had a Grand Mal seizure in the swimming pool. Then I woke up in an ambulance on the way to the hospital,” Dunnigan said.
Dunnigan had a cancerous brain tumor which caused the seizure, and while the surgery to remove it was extremely risky, he survived. After a year of intense recovery, he returned to the SFFD but was not able to carry out the high-intensity duties of being an engine operator.
“It took about a year to recover and then they put me on light duty so I went down to the chief’s office and I was like ‘I’m not here to make copies, give me some work’,” Dunnigan said.
No longer as excited with his work at the SFFD, he decided to start substitute teaching at Kent Middle School in 2016, later coming to Redwood High School in 2021. Dunnigan finds lots of joy in substitute teaching at Redwood, though it’s different from environments he’s worked in previously.
“In the past, I have gone into [jobs] where I put in the work, but I’d get zero back in return. 

[But] now I go where I’m of value. That’s why I’m here at Redwood,” Dunnigan said.

He is still able to apply his passions to everyday life and finds happiness in helping others, which is demonstrated by his extensive background in helping the community.
“I love English literature. I was a history major and I want to present [class material] in a certain way so [students] can show me what they’re doing and get something out of it,” Dunnigan said.
Junior William Damario has known Dunnigan since he was a substitute teacher at Kent and appreciates his kind attitude.
“[Dunnigan] is unique and energetic. He brightens my day and makes learning exciting.

He is a teacher you want to show up for and do your best for,” Damario said.
Most students who have been taught by Dunnigan since middle school have a special appreciation for him because of his kindness and ability to make any class fun. One of the many students who is inspired by him is junior Elam Schiller.
“[Dunnigan’s] smile lights up the room and when I see him I want to try my best,” Schiller said
Dunnigan has continued to act as a support system for people who have experienced similar obstacles to the ones he faced. He has now been the team captain of Swim Across America, a nonprofit organization that raises money for cancer research through swimming events, since 2011.

“I do a lot of work with [University of California San Francisco] hospital, SFFD and the International Association of Firefighters. I’m a mentor for a lot of folks who are going into surgery and then post-surgery,” Dunnigan said.
As a result of his traumatic experience almost resulting in death, his views on life have shifted. He is now more thankful and has realized what is important in his life.
“It changed how I appreciate things in life. Now sometimes I’ll just pause. I’ll look at the leaves falling and just kind of take it in. I’ve always been kind to others but now I’ll go out of my way more,” Dunnigan said. “Life is short and there are folks that have it much worse than me so I don’t take anything for granted and I just try to stay positive.”
Despite the struggles he endured, Dunnigan has made it a priority to ensure he maintains his adventurous spirit.
“I’m definitely going to be the first person off the diving board or the first person to repel [down a cliff]. I’m going to be the first person to raise my hand and say, ‘I’ll do it,’ because I have [the] mentality [that] life happens once, so let’s do this,” Dunnigan said.