Steve Belles is one of OHS’s newest additions as well as the psychology teacher. Belles always knew that he wanted to be both a teacher and a coach, and he is excited to continue to pursue that, going into his 26th year of teaching. Belles views teaching and coaching similarly, pushing students to prepare and perform to their very best.
Belles is enthusiastic about many activities outside of teaching, including football, hiking, and watching movies in his free time. Above all, family is one of the most important things to him.
“I’m passionate about my daughter’s growth. She’s 23 and she’s going into nursing school. My step-daughter is already a nurse. I’m really proud of both of them… my favorite holiday is thanksgiving, just because it’s not about gifts, it’s about time with family,” said Steve Belles, psychology teacher.
Belles has lived in Arizona most of his life, only leaving to go to college for football at Notre Dame in South Bend, Indiana.
“[I was] born and raised on the west side, and I went to St. Mary’s High School here in town,” Belles said.
Throughout his entire education, Belles has always had a passion for teaching. He discovered where his career would lie once he neared the end of his college education, and found what would fit best for his lifestyle.
“I think I knew I wanted to teach my last year [of college]… I got my teaching certificate at Ottawa University. I always wanted to coach too, and I think it went hand in hand,” Belles said.
Even though Belles has always somewhat known what he wanted to do, he consistently had a backup option ready to go.
“I think if I wouldn’t have been a teacher, I would have gone into being a fireman. A couple of my buddies went into it, and there were so many connections to the fire department through St. Mary’s High School, and that was the reason I was going to do it,” Belles said.
Although Belles has been teaching for 26 years and coaching for 30, he had numerous job experiences before it.
“I worked at a furniture factory, I did landscaping at Glendale Community College, I worked behind a bar, I did Uber a little bit, I worked at a tile store, I did vocational counseling, and I sold insurance, but teaching had been my passion,” Belles said.
Belles has taught an array of different subjects throughout his teaching career.
“I have two degrees. One was in economics, and one was in psychology… the funny thing is that I taught world history, American history, economics, and this is only my first year teaching psychology,” Belles said.
Belles argues that psychology is an important subject to be taught, and has discovered much about it has changed from when he got his degree.
“Just like anything else, psychology has evolved. Psychology is thought of as more of a science today, even though it is chosen as an elective here,” Belles said.
Due to Belles’ experience with coaching football, he sees improvement as a huge accomplishment and celebrates it as such.
“Just like in coaching, [my favorite thing about teaching is] the growth in kids and seeing kids be maybe a little shaky about it at the beginning, and then grow into it,” Belles said.
Belles believes that psychology is not only an important subject, but also for practical, everyday application within the lives of high school students.
“With so much social media today, it’s a reflection thing where kids can look inwards – introspection… they know what’s going on in their head,” Belles said.
Not only does Belles strive to be a great educator, he also strives to make connections with kids outside of learning.
“I like to be available for kids, and not just in the teaching environment. If you care about kids, they’ll run through a wall for you, just like on a football field. But they have to know you care,” Belles said.
Belles’ coaching side often shines through when he is teaching, helping students perform at the top of their game.
“It’s hard to be great when you’re working on being average,” Belles said.
