05/14/2026
For Chris Lacy, teaching has never just been a job. It’s been her calling.
“I knew from the age of five that I wanted to be a teacher,” she says with a smile.
Now in her 32nd year at Chanhassen High School, Chris teaches Personal Wellness — a blend of health and physical education — where she helps students understand not just how their bodies work, but how to care for them for a lifetime. Her goal for every student is simple and heartfelt:
“I always tell my students I want them to live to be 100.”
But getting there requires more than memorizing facts. It requires curiosity, critical thinking and the courage to ask questions — especially about complex topics like organ donation.
Chris has watched education evolve over three decades. Today’s students, she says, are independent and inquisitive. They don’t just accept information — they want to know why.
“When I introduce something new, they always ask why. And I love that.”
That curiosity is especially important when students approach milestones like getting their driver’s permit. As ninth graders begin thinking about checking the organ donor box on their license, questions naturally follow.
“They hear about checking the box, but they don’t fully understand what it means,” Chris explains. “Some of what they know comes from social media — and some of it isn’t correct.”
Instead of shutting down those conversations, Chris leans into them. She invites discussion, asks other students to share what they know and guides the class toward research-based, accurate information. For her, education isn’t about telling students what to decide. It’s about giving them the tools to decide thoughtfully.
“If they’re going to check that box, they need to have all their questions answered. It’s a commitment.”
Chris’ passion for organ donation isn’t only professional; it’s personal.
She remembers attending the service of her aunt, who passed away from lymphoma at a young age. In the midst of grief, she noticed something unexpected: a sign indicating her aunt had donated eye tissue.
“I was baffled,” Chris recalls. “I thought, she has cancer. How can she donate?”
That moment became a lesson. Many common health conditions do not automatically disqualify someone from donation. Even in loss, her aunt was able to help others.
That experience reinforced Chris’ belief that organ donation is rooted in empathy — a value she works hard to cultivate in her classroom.
“One of my biggest values as a teacher is empathy, putting yourself in someone else’s shoes. Organ donation fits seamlessly with that.”
In her Health Career Exploration classes, Chris also introduces students to career paths they may never have considered — including roles within organ donation and procurement. It broadens their understanding of healthcare beyond doctors and nurses, opening doors to meaningful futures.
At its core, Chris Lacy’s work is about empowerment. She doesn’t pressure students to choose one way or another. She gives them accurate information. She encourages dialogue with trusted adults. She creates a safe space for tough questions.
And then she trusts them.
Because that’s what great teachers do.
“I want them to have the skills,” she says. “Then they can decide.”
In a world filled with noise and misinformation, Chris Lacy is doing something powerful: teaching young people not just what to think — but how to think.
And in the process, she’s helping build a generation that approaches organ donation with knowledge, empathy and confidence.
