After decades of shaping students, leading classrooms, and building connections across the Hempfield Area School district, seven staff members are closing their chapter on their teaching careers this year. Their dedication to helping our high school students find their way in an ever-changing world is reflected in the countless lives they have touched and the lasting legacy they leave behind. As they prepare to retire, it is important to recognize each of these remarkable individuals for their contributions to the education and growth of our students. The following profiles share their stories, the impact that they’ve made at Hempfield Area, and the lasting mark they leave on our halls and classrooms.
Mrs. Adams
Mrs. Adams has spent the last 19 years at Hempfield Area helping students grow as readers, writers, and individuals. She has taught classes such as Journalism, Academic English, Freshmen Seminar, and Mass Media, and became known for creating a classroom full of laughter, conversation, and genuine connection.
Before becoming a teacher, she spent 15 years running her own writing and graphic design business from home while raising her sons. After realizing how much she loved teaching and learning alongside her children, she decided to become a teacher herself. One of her favorite parts of working at Hempfield was getting to teach at the high school while her own children were students there, allowing her to experience life as both a mom and a teacher at the same time.
Mrs. Adams says that some of her favorite memories were the days when students shared funny stories and the whole class laughed together. She is especially grateful for the former students who still reach out years later to thank her for making a difference in their lives. Outside of the classroom, she has a surprisingly adventurous side—she has para-glided over the Swiss Alps, hiked Mount Vesuvius, and explored the Great Barrier Reef. In retirement, she hopes to continue traveling the world and spending time with her family, friends, and the people she loves most.
Mrs. Byers
Mrs. Byers has worked in the Hempfield Area School District for nearly 27 years, (34 in all), as a dedicated math teacher. During her time at Hempfield Area, she has taught a variety of courses, including Geometry, Pre-Algebra, and Applied Math. In these classes, she engaged her students in concepts ranging from complex exponents to multi-step transversals, making the often complicated language of math more understandable.
However, Mrs. Byers connected with her students far beyond the curriculum. Her warm personality and approachable nature helped students feel more comfortable expressing themselves in class. She opened up the door for a lot of students, helping them realize that they were stronger problem-solvers than they believed.
As she enters retirement, she will miss the friendships and support she shared with her colleagues, as well as her students and the inspiration that they brought her. She does, however, look forward to reading, building puzzles, and spending time with her family outdoors— enjoying activities like four-wheeling, creek-crossing, and motorcycle riding.
Mr. Chovanec
At just 21 years old, Mr. Chovanec began his career at Hempfield Area in the fall of 1990. Since then, he has taught a variety of physics classes, dedicating hours each night to developing detailed lesson plans designed to engage students in the abstract world of physics. His passion for teaching and interacting with the students has carried him throughout his career. “There is just no better feeling than getting to see the kids enjoy something that they never thought that they would care about. That’s what I do it for—that moment when you catch them not being themselves because they are so engrossed in what they are doing in class,” he said. 
Even so, it is his colleagues who have been his favorite part of working at Hempfield. A lifelong learner, Mr. Chovanec notes that the most valuable lessons he has learned have come not from textbooks, but from his colleagues around him—each one bringing something unique to the table and helping shape him as both a teacher and person. That same openness to new perspectives and experiences is reflected in a lesser-known part of his life: he is a phenomenal singer and even performed locally during his youth.
He hopes that retirement will offer him new experiences that help fulfill the space teaching will leave behind.
Mr. Clougherty
Mr. Clougherty began every class by saying, “It’s a great day for Gov,” a phrase that set the tone for the many detailed and engaging lessons that followed. Working in the Hempfield Area School District for over 30 years and teaching American Government and Politics for 16, he has dedicated his career to helping students understand the importance of being informed, responsible, and active citizens. Through his lessons, he aimed not only to teach content, but also to show students how the systems they study connect to their everyday lives.
He hopes his students will remember that they are capable of doing difficult things and to always believe in themselves.
Alongside teaching, Mr. Clougherty has been a dedicated swim and diving coach for 29 years, a passion that has allowed him to continue working closely with students outside of the classroom and one he plans to continue into retirement. He also looks forward to circumnavigating the country, finally seeing the places behind the rules and systems that he has spent so many years teaching about. Moreover, he hopes to spend the majority of his days at the White Rabbit Cafe and Patisserie, drinking coffee and talking politics.
Mr. Fantaske
Mr. Fantaske began teaching in 1992 and came to Hempfield during the 2006–2007 school year, where he has spent the last 19 years teaching everything from Algebra and Geometry to Python, Java, and AP Computer Science. Although he teaches challenging subjects, he says the most meaningful part of his career has always been the connections he’s made with students. 
One moment that has stayed with him occurred during a particularly tough school year with a class that challenged him daily. On the last day of school, those same students surprised him by thanking him with hugs and handshakes, reminding him that teachers can have a greater impact than they sometimes realize and to never give up on a student.
Outside of the classroom, Mr. Fantaske has a fun side that many students might not expect. He’s a big gamer who loves playing The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim and Fallout 4, but he also enjoys being outdoors through motorcycling, hiking, playing tennis, and e-biking. Students are often surprised to learn that he has five children, eight grandchildren, and has been married for nearly 40 years. More than anything, he hopes his students leave his class ready to live positive, successful lives and remember that “we are all in this world together.”
Mrs. Jugan
Mrs. Jugan has spent 34 years in education, including 27 years at Hempfield Area High School, where she returned as a proud Hempfield graduate to give back to the community she grew up in. Over the years, she has taught classes such as Creative Writing, College Writing, English 11 and 12, and Public Speaking, and she has also supported students through a writing lab where they could receive extra help with essays and writing skills. 
Outside of the classroom, she has always been involved in student life—planning prom, sponsoring the Cultural Experience Club, serving as Senior Class Sponsor, and even helping run the scoreboard graphics that get the student section excited at football games.
What students will remember most about Mrs. Jugan is her energy and the way she makes class memorable. One of her favorite stories comes from a day teaching Macbeth when students became so engaged in a scene that they started yelling, chanting, and even doing push-ups—right as the principal walked in for an observation. When she’s not teaching, she enjoys being outdoors hiking, fishing, riding quads, and making s’mores. Despite appearances, she admits she’s “just a big softie.” In retirement, she looks forward to traveling the world with her husband, reading, and spending more time with her dog.
Mr. Pultz
Mr. Pultz discovered his love for teaching during his basketball coaching career at Cathedral Grade School in Greensburg. “I always loved basketball, but I think what I loved most was teaching others how to play,” he said. This newfound passion prompted him to return to school and earn his teaching certificate. 
Being in the classroom and seeing students engage in the material— asking questions, debating ideas, and making connections—inspired him throughout his career. Those moments were especially meaningful during hands-on activities such as APUSH students taking on the leadership of the American Colonies during the Articles of Confederation period, or Honors World History students stepping into the roles of countries during World War I. Along the way, he became just as well known for his sense of humor, often lightening the classroom with his classic (and sometimes painfully corny) dad jokes.
Mr. Pultz hopes that long after the details of the curriculum fade, his students remember the underlying lessons he taught them: to think critically, communicate effectively, and approach situations with an open mind. After his retirement, Mr. Pultz looks forward to sleeping in, golfing, and traveling the world with his wife.
While their time in the classroom is nearing an end, their influence on students, colleagues, and the Hempfield Area community will remain a lasting part of the school’s story. Through their lesson plans and individual student support, each one of these individuals has impacted the lives of many of our Spartans. We thank them for their dedication, time, and passion for education and wish them a relaxing and stress-free retirement.
