When students at Lake Orion High School return to class in a month or so, they won’t find teacher Chris Bell in the classroom.
Instead Bell, who is the varsity football coach and has taught social studies and economics in Lake Orion for 10 years, was named the assistant principal on July 1. Bell said the position will train him to eventually become an associate principal.
‘It’s a different challenge,? said Bell, a Lake Orion native with a master’s degree in administration from the University of Detroit-Mercy. ‘With some of the programs I was chairing, I already was performing some administrative duties. It helped me get my feet wet a little bit.?
Bell would have been happy staying in the classroom, because he loves teaching.
‘But this was a good opportunity,? he said. ‘With our current administration, we have great student-focus…The whole district is one of the reasons I love working for Lake Orion Schools, we put our students first.
‘Every decision we make, the number one thing we ask is what’s best for our students,? Bell said. ‘We’re in education for the right reasons.?
Bell said he had great role models growing up in Lake Orion. He graduated from LOHS in 1986.
‘My teachers and coaches were great,? he added. ‘I always enjoyed school.?
Bell received his undergraduate degree from Albion College, where he was a double major in economics and management, and received certification to teach.
Before returning to Lake Orion, where he also briefly taught junior high, Bell taught in Centerline for two years, and was a substitute teacher and football coach at Linden High School.
‘I loved coaching football,? said Bell, who will remain Lake Orion’s varsity coach as he moves into administration. ‘Coaching and teaching are the same thing…It’s something I always enjoyed. It has never been a job for me.?
When Bell was in college, he never dreamed he would one day be establishing his career back in his hometown.
‘There’s no place I’d rather be,? he said.
Bell’s decision to take the new job, which will undoubtedly mean longer hours and more nights away from home, especially with the varsity football season about to begin, was fully supported by his family.
‘My wife Christy was very excited for me,? he said. The couple have four children: Son Kyle, 8; daughter Kaitlyn, 6; daughter Jamie, 4; and daughter Lauren, 3.
Bell has not told his football players yet about the new position.
‘I haven’t told them, some of them may know,? he said. ‘They’ll be very supportive. It won’t change for them, whatsoever. We expect our players to set great examples.?
Bell said being successful in both roles will come down to how he manages his time.
‘I have a great football staff,? he said. ‘You find the best ways to do both.?
Although he is excited about the future, Bell will miss his time in the classroom.
‘The classroom was just fun. We’ve got great kids here at Lake Orion,? he said. ‘They keep you young, they make you laugh.
‘You get to see them grow on a daily basis. I’ll miss that. My goal in the new job is the same as it was in the classroom, to do whatever I can to help our students.?
Bell has some experience teaching eighth- and ninth-graders, but enjoys working with the high school age group.
‘You’re preparing them for their next step in life,? he said. ‘You see them go from young people to mature adults…and leaving excited about the future. Being part of that process is what I enjoy.?
Bell shares the experience of being a teacher with his brother, who teaches in Toledo, and his father-in-law, a long-time educator.
‘The job title might change, responsibilities might change, but as a person, I’m still the same,? he said.
In his limited free time, Bell enjoys spending time with his family at their cottage on Higgins Lake.
‘I also coach my son’s baseball team,? he said. ‘My family is my hobby.?