Mr. Spears — A CHS Legend
Chester High School teachers wore Hawaiian shirts and Illini sportswear Jan. 28 in tribute to the late Mr. Spears. Mr. Spears, who passed away Jan. 24, was a graduate of the University of Illinois. The late math teacher also initiated the teacher tradition of wearing Hawaiian shirts on Fridays.
February 18, 2021
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
Lexi Brockhouse • Mar 7, 2021 at 6:25 pm
I will never forget the pride I felt the first time my mom told me that Mr. Spears told her that he is proud of me and is glad that I made it out of Chester. He would always tell her that and ask her how I was. I will also never forget how to do anything trig without the hip cat trig dude. Can’t forget “dat’s not right” and “true dat, yo!”. He sparked a love of math that I never knew I had, and made me realize that being a teacher just like him would be truly amazing for students. He is missed by many. Hearing about his passing hurt, but reignited my love of math and inspired me to pursue teaching. I wish I could thank him for everything he has taught me. RIP Mr. Spears.
Hannah Schweizer • Feb 2, 2021 at 8:13 am
Never again in my life will I be able to see the letter 7 with our hearing “SEVUN?!” he was truly the best.
Kendra Gruenewald • Jan 29, 2021 at 6:54 pm
I didn’t have the pleasure of having him as a teacher, but he did teach my husband and daughter. He knew my son too. He also told my husband and I we raised our children right. Hearing that come a teacher is a great feeling. Rip Mr. Spears.
Carolyn Kish • Jan 29, 2021 at 5:41 pm
Every time Spears would pass me in the hall, he’d throw his hand up and bellow, “SCIENCE!!” Then just walk past. Sometimes there was a science joke to go along with his unique greeting. Sometimes just his smile. When I was a freshman teacher, he always made me feel welcome. After I’d been at CHS awhile, he made me feel like one of the family. I’m sad at his passing and will miss him very much. I hope he’s at peace.
Alexis Alvarez • Jan 28, 2021 at 8:19 pm
My Favorite joke of Mr. Spears was HOLE PUNCHER, BACK SCRATCHER, BACK SCRATCHER BUTT SCRATCHER. Or the story of the devil went into a bar and everyone ran out bit this man. And the devil went up to him and said are you not scared of me and the man said no you should meet my wife. He was a amazing teacher gave all of us unique nicknames and him remembering everyones nickname was amazing we will miss you so much. (My nickname) AA
Brittany Zahringer • Jan 28, 2021 at 7:43 pm
Mr spears was an amazing teacher! He cared about everyone individually and would make punny jokes al the time. I wish I would’ve gotten a chance to take trig with him. Rip. Forever missed ♥️♥️♥️
Stephanie Roth • Jan 27, 2021 at 9:00 pm
Mr. Spears always loved to tell jokes and stories to make class fun while learning, it always brightened my day. One of my favorite sayings of his is “I need a nippy nap and a grilled cheese sammich.”