Curt Connaughty began teaching in Eden Prairie Schools alongside his wife Mary in 1955, when the district was a single consolidated school building. Over the next three decades, he taught biology, industrial arts and physical education and would go on to serve as an assistant principal until his retirement in 1986. Notably, Connaughty started Eden Prairie’s football program in 1957 and served as its first head coach. A year later, he launched the track & field program, which he also coached.

Upon his retirement, Connaughty was named the City of Eden Prairie’s Citizen of the Year and the City Council proclaimed “Curt Connaughty Day” on June 13, 1986. Decades later, the city again acknowledged Connaughty’s lasting contributions when Mayor Dr. Ron Case proclaimed April 30, 2023, as a second citywide celebration in honor of Connaughty. In 1985-86, Eden Prairie High School coaching staff established The Curt Connaughty award, which is presented annually to a staff member to recognize exceptional dedication and service to athletics — and Connaughty was the inaugural recipient. 

After retiring, Connaughty remained closely involved with Eden Prairie Schools and the broader community. He ran the game clock at home athletic events for many years and staffed track meets in the spring. He is the oldest surviving founding member of the Eden Prairie Lions Club, and has also supported the Eden Prairie Community Foundation and other local initiatives.

Connaughty is the author of The Right Place at the Right Time, a memoir reflecting on his time in Eden Prairie Schools and its transformation from a small rural community to a large suburban district. He earned a bachelor’s degree in biology, industrial arts and physical education from Winona State University and later completed master’s and education specialist degrees in Secondary Administration at the University of Minnesota Twin Cities.

All of Connaughty’s children — Ellen, Julia, Maureen, Christopher and Sean — graduated from Eden Prairie High School while their father worked in the district. And in the district’s centennial celebration in 2024, Connaughty was honored as king at the Citywide Prom.