National Principals Month: Q&A with Anita O’Neill, Clarksburg High School
Posted On October 27, 2026
October is National Principals Month. Throughout the month, MCPS is recognizing the dedicated leaders who guide our schools and support students, staff and families every day. To celebrate, we’re highlighting a few principals around the county to learn more about what inspires them and the impact they hope to make in their school communities. Get to know these leaders, their passions and a few fun facts.
How long have you been with MCPS? This is my 31st year in MCPS.
How long have you been at Clarksburg High School? I began my principalship at Clarksburg High School (CHS) on January 1, 2024.
What keeps you inspired and motivated in your work as a principal? The students are my motivation. Every day I am happy to see them and to continue to get to know them. They are the life of our school.
What's one thing your students or staff have taught you? The importance of listening and patience. The purpose of listening should be to learn and hear others’ perspectives. That is very important in my role. Patience is important for so many reasons. Growth and change do not happen overnight. Patience paired with celebrating the small wins goes a long way in keeping us all motivated to achieve goals.
What's one thing you hope every student feels when they walk through your school's doors? I want all students to feel a sense of belonging when they come to CHS. We put a lot of energy toward building community, positive behavior interventions and supporting one another.
What’s an interesting/fun fact that not everyone knows about you? I am a volunteer trail ranger in Montgomery County. I have a trail for which I am responsible for monitoring and low level maintenance.
What impact do you think principals have on the greater community? I hope our impact is that we impact our community by preparing our students to be self-sufficient citizens who contribute positively to society. I love to imagine all the great things our students will be able to do when they leave us and take great joy in seeing former students and hearing about what they are doing in their adult lives.
