Chester High School lost an iconic teacher Jan. 24 when Mr. Spears passed away.

As a tribute to Mr. Spears, faculty members and other CHS staff wore Hawaiian shirts and/or Illinois sportswear Sept. 28. Mr. Spears was a graduate of the University of Illinois. During the 2012-13 school year, he started a tradition where teachers would wear Hawaiian shirts on Fridays.
Mr. Spears resigned during first semester after a longtime career at Chester High School as a math teacher and coach.
Students and staff remember Mr. Spears fondly for his cheerful demeanor and cheesy jokes.
In a tribute to Mr. Spears, we are inviting students, alumni and staff to submit favorite stories and jokes about Mr. Spears. Send them to Editor Melody Colonel at [email protected]
As. Mr. Colonel noted, it was fitting that Mr. Spears, who loved a good palindrome, passed away on 1-24-21.
TACOCAT

Mr. Spears was known by all as a very outspoken man who loved grilled cheese and lemon shakeups. Here are a few words from some of the CHS Staff and student body.

Mr. Spears was quite a character. I remember every track practice that my brother drove him home from, the countless jokes in class, and the jokes. Oh the jokes. He was always a bright spot in every students day. Track will never be the same. Math will never be the same. So many students at CHS didn’t get to experience the light that he was. Fly high Mr. Spears, we miss you!

“A couple things I would like to share about Mr. Spears…

In the ten years I have known Steve, he never once told me the same joke! He always had a way to make you smile, even when you didn’t think it was possible. An inappropriate joke, a funny anecdote, a life lesson learned through laughter … He never let you down when it came to a sense of humor. Loved that about him!

Last semester, my husband and I offered to help Mr. Spears get home after school. Our sons were able to share in some of Steve’s personality… He obviously had an impact on anybody he met, but even our 3 year old son (Myles) referenced him as, “My friend, Steven”.

Anyone and everyone he came into contact with, he treated them like a friend. He was a genuine, good soul that is already missed by many. Take it easy, Mr. Spears!!” – Mrs. Norman

“This is for the jokes/story for Mr. Spears, he always talked about opening his own lemonade shake up stand at Popeye Picnic, and also selling grilled cheese there.I hope he is eating many grilled cheese up in heaven and drinking all the lemonade shake ups! Thank you for also doing this, so we are all able to remember him and the joy he gave everyone.” – Addy Mitchell

“My favorite memory with Mr. Spears was when we was in geometry my sophomore year and he was teach us about shapes and finding their area and perimeter, he asked us if you have a can and you cut off the top and bottom of the can then cut in half and unroll it what do you have? Everyone else in the class said a rectangle I said a can. I got to make Mr. Spears and the rest of the class to laugh. It’s was one of the many best moments I had with him!” – Cassie McDonald