Charles Webb, known informally as “C-Webb,” has been a beloved part of Chapel Hill High School for 23 years, a permanent substitute teacher who students say brightens their day.
Following a career in business and in the North Carolina state legislature in which he served three terms in the House of Representatives, Webb started working at Chapel Hill High School in 1998 and quickly became a favorite with the student body.
“He’s really sweet and super chill,” junior Harmony Scott said.
Senior Cooper Voss-Seiler said he looks forward to the days when Webb is his substitute teacher.
“I feel pretty excited because it’s going to be a relaxed day; he’s just a fun dude,” he said.
Webb’s popularity was recently revealed when the Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools Instagram account posted a photo of Webb in late December, wishing Webb a happy birthday.
The post received nearly 1,600 “likes,” as well as 178 comments—both far exceeding the typical interactions the district’s Instagram posts receive.
Webb said that he reciprocates the appreciation students show him.
“The thing I love most about Chapel Hill High is the students. By being in all the classes, I get to know the whole student body,” Webb said.
Being at the school for over two decades has allowed Webb to form a bond with students, and Webb said he considers the school a second home.
“The students return my love year after year,” he said. “I do not want to think about leaving for any reason. The students are a part of my family.”
It’s not just students who appreciate Webb; the faculty and staff love him as well.
Dance teacher Eliza Parker called Webb “a wonderful person,” someone who is “always willing to go above and beyond for students and fellow teachers.”
English teacher Kim Lindekugel agreed with Parker.
“He is the constant spirit of Chapel Hill High School whom we can always count on—no matter what,” Lindekugel said. “He cares about us.”
A second retirement—this one from Chapel Hill High School—isn’t in the cards for Webb or something he likes to think about.
“’Retire’ is in quotation marks. I have said over the years that they will have to carry me out feet first as I leave,” he said.
