Steve Bell’s father was a professional musician. His most influential teacher at SHS specialized in English and Latin. But Steve’s passion became mathematics and that led him to a distinguished career in education.
A native of West Palm Beach, Florida, Steve has been a Shelby resident since 1957. While at SHS, he served as president of Student Council and a member of his class executive committee. He then earned a bachelor’s degree in secondary math education at Miami University in 1968. 1n 1971 he earned a master’s degree in educational administration at Ohio State University. Later he took post-graduate courses at several other universities.
In 1968 Steve began a 35-year career with Shelby City Schools. First he taught 7th and 8th grade math for four years. Next he served as junior high dean of students for two years. Then he served as junior high principal for nine years and assistant superintendent of schools for 12 years. Ultimately Steve served as superintendent for eight years. Says Steve about his career, “I have always felt fortunate to have been able to return to my hometown and serve the community through its schools. Shelby provided the basis for any success 1have had in my life, and I wanted to be part of providing similar opportunities for the next generation of students.”
Following retirement, Steve’s passion for math led him to Pioneer Career & Technology Center where he taught math and tutored students for three years. For the past four years at Pioneer Steve has served as coordinator for the Educational Management Information System.
Fellow 2010 Hall of Distinction inductee Edith Huston helped shape Steve’s approach to teaching. “Mrs. Huston was both my eighth grade and senior English teacher. Although she was an English teacher and I became a math teacher, the way she worked with and cared for her students became a model for the way I approached my classes and was instrumental in my becoming an educator.”
Throughout his career Steve has been active in educational organizations. He has served as president of Phi Delta Kappa Education Honorary, Mansfield Area Principal Association, and North Central Ohio Computer Cooperative. He has served as a board of directors member of Buckeye Association of School Administrators and Management Council of the Ohio Educational Computer Network. He also has been actively involved with the Presbyterian Church, United Fund of Shelby, Rotary Club, Shelby Chamber of Commerce, Shelby Senior Center, Richland County Regional Planning Commission and the Richland County Employee Participation Council. He has served on fundraising committees for the Shelby Y Community Center, Shelby MedCentral Hospital and Ohio State’s Mansfield Campus. He enjoys travel, reading, golf and watching high and college sports.
Steve is married to Sandy and they have a daughter, Stacy Bell Weatherbie ’94.
Steve’s Hall of Distinction nominator: former teacher Jan Catherwood. His presenter: Superintendent Bryan Neff.