By Elizabeth Contreras
Raised and taught by educators, Yukon teacher Lance Tignor was inspired to become one himself. Tignor comes from a proud legacy of teachers and coaches, spanning four generations. Now, nearly three decades into his own career, he carries that legacy forward, not just by teaching content, but by shaping character. His philosophy has evolved from being transactional—focused on performance—to transformational, rooted in purpose, relationships, and lasting impact.
“The purpose and calling that I have in coaching and teaching is to have a positive influence on my students,” shares Tignor.
Shifting from ‘Did they pass the test?’ to ‘Did I help them grow as a person?’ reflects how Tignor creates a warm, student-centered environment. While students don’t always follow rules, they follow people they respect and feel respected by. For Tignor, success isn’t about grades, it’s about what truly matters.
“How I look at success for my students is knowing that meaningful relationships matter, family matters, faith matters,” he adds.
Each day, he reminds himself that real education isn’t about information; it’s about inspiring curiosity, fostering connection, and encouraging growth. That same relationship-driven environment sparked his own love for coaching and teaching history.
“I had a bunch of good teachers and coaches,” Tignor explains. “The person who influenced me most as a teacher and coach is my dad; I love history because of him. I love sports because of him.”
Tignor has carried that influence forward by modeling what it means to care deeply.
His compassion shows up in small, consistent moments, whether it’s a simple “hello” in the hallway, or a check-in about life.
“I try to be intentional,” Tignor says. “To go out of my way to do whatever it takes.”
It’s not about grand gestures; it’s about presence.
“I don’t have a particular standout moment,” he says, “but I get satisfaction at the end of each class when a student says, ‘Have a great day, Coach TIG.’ Those moments of genuine connection are why Tignor continues to invest his time and heart, year after year.
And when he’s not teaching or coaching, Tignor’s hidden talents come into play, like his ability to fall asleep anywhere, anytime. As for his favorite school lunch? Steak fingers with mashed potatoes and gravy, with the roll perfectly gravy-dipped, of course.
Nearly 30 years in, Lance Tignor is still committed to showing up, staying real, and building trust. Moving forward, he hopes to continue growing alongside his students and colleagues, embracing change and remining grounded in the values that have sustained him through the years.
