“Congratulations class of 2026!” While many people may be referring to the seniors leaving CHS, seniors aren’t the only ones saying goodbye to the school’s purple walls. After years of dedication, some teachers are closing a chapter of their own and venturing into new horizons.
Barbara Clougherty
As students step into English teacher Barbara Clougherty’s classroom, walls covered with students’ animal poems and famous artwork, they enter ready to be influenced by the power of communication.
After 15 years at CHS, Clougherty has officially announced her retirement following the 2025-2026 school year. However, it took her some time to land upon her decision to retire.
“My decision to retire this year wasn’t an easy one, because I truly love teaching and learning from students every day,” Clougherty said. “But I wouldn’t say I’m retiring, but rather rewiring.”
Rewiring, Clougherty hopes to find more flexibility in her schedule to enjoy a mix of professional, social, spiritual and physical activities. Whether that means teaching communications at a community college or spending more time writing, she hopes to continue deepening her love for the humanities.
“I’ve had students, probably in the 15 years I’ve been here, ask me to write a book or offer to produce a podcast for me,” Clougherty said. “Whatever my next steps may be, I do really think that I’m not just leaving, but rather going to do something. I’m just figuring out the pieces of that something.”
Joseph Clement
Known for his tradition of wearing Birkenstock sandals to school every day, social studies teacher Joseph Clement is finally saying goodbye after serving 31 years at CHS.
Clement’s retirement status has been up in the air for the last two years, but he said his state pension is finally big enough to retire. Although retiring from teaching at FCPS, Clement isn’t completely stepping away from his love of teaching students.
“I’m probably going to keep teaching, but at a private school,” Clement said. “So this way, I can get my pension from teaching in a public school, but also get a private school salary.”
Although his teaching career isn’t over, it doesn’t make saying goodbye to CHS any easier. It’s always been normal for Clement to send off graduating seniors every year in his Political Science and AP Economics classes, but it feels bittersweet to be saying goodbye.
“It’ll definitely be different, because, [students] are already starting to ask me, ‘What are you doing next?’ ‘Where are you going next?’ ‘What’s your plan?’ but that’s usually my question to them,” Clement said. “It’s like I’m graduating with my students this year.”
Daniel Ashley
Walking out to the trailers, students often hear social studies teacher Daniel Ashley playing his bagpipe. During his time at CHS, Ashley has consistently worked to connect with his students through his bagpipe and music.
“Some of my favorite memories at CHS are my Friday Music Days,” Ashley said. “I would block off 15 or 20 minutes at the end of every class on Friday to perform their musical instrument, if they had one, including if they wanted to sing.”
Over time, those Friday Music Days soon became a lasting part of his classroom identity. Now, after 14 years, his journey at CHS is coming to an end, but his exploration in playing the bagpipe and beyond has just taken flight.
“Despite how youthful I look, I’m a pretty old guy, and I want to do some other things with what’s left of my life,” Ashley said. “I’m definitely going to renew my bagpipe plan, and I recently rediscovered skiing, which I hope to explore more in retirement.”
Having taught students and, in turn, been influenced by students himself, Ashley closes his chapter at CHS. But before he cleans up his room and takes his final bow, he wants to leave a word of wisdom.
“Be a ripple of hope,” Ashley said.
