One Monticello Life: DCHS Principal Steve Noble
August 15th, 2010 by Mandy Moss
As summer comes to an end, and children gear up to head back to school, students of Drew Central High will be welcomed by a new face this year.
New to the district, Principal Steve Noble has had quite a journey that’s landed him right here in Monticello.
Mr. Noble’s story began in Cleveland, Ohio in May of 1954 when he was born to Robert and Margaret Noble. With his father, Robert, serving in the navy at the time, moving was a frequent event. After spending some time in the upper peninsula of Michigan and Maine, the Noble family came to rest in Bridgewater, MA.
“We moved from there when I was in the fourth grade to Norfolk, VA and that’s when my father decided to retire and return to his home of Crossett, AR. We moved to Crossett when I was in fifth grade and stayed there until I graduated high school in 1972.”
Mr. Noble remembered that as a teenager he held his first job working on the “park crew” for the city of Crossett. His job was to take care of the city zoo area and all of the baseball and softball fields in town.
“That was in 1969 and I made a whopping $0.50 an hour!”
After graduating from Crossett High School in 1972, Steve Noble went on to attend ASU at Beebe (January 1993 – June 1993), and then the University of Central Arkansas (August 1993 – December 1995), where he received his B.S.E. He then earned his M.S.E. from UCA in 2003.
Mr. Noble’s journey to college was not a smooth one. His decision to earn his degrees came after a divorce and receiving custody of his two children.
“I had always been the coach of their athletic teams when they were young and knew that was a calling for me. So, at the age of 39, while raising two children, I began my college career and graduated with honors in 3 years to become a high school science teacher and athletics coach.”
Though education was his ultimate career path, Steve spent nearly 20 years in radio. He mostly worked as the morning DJ but also held jobs as program director and news director. He worked at stations in AR, MO, OK, and AZ. Mr. Noble also won awards for his writing from the Associated Press and the Arizona Press Club.
Steve Noble has quite the background in teaching. His education career has included teaching Science and coaching several sports: football, basketball, baseball, softball, and track. Recently Mr. Noble has done impressive work at the Great Rivers Education Cooperative in Helena and he stated, “My work in Helena was a great experience that gave me excellent background for my present position at DCHS.”
Mr. Noble worked with principals and superintendents at schools in academic distress for years 3, 4, and 5, while with Great Rivers Education Cooperative.
“The Smart Accountability program is designed to help schools make adequate yearly progress (AYP) and over one-third of the schools I worked with made AYP last year.”
When asked how the people of Monticello have been treating him, Mr. Noble responded, “Great!” Further questions revealed that he is single and has two grown children. A daughter, age 29, living in Arizona, and a son, age 25, living and working in Subiaco, AR.
When asked, “What do you see for Drew Central this year? What are your hopes for the school?” Principal Noble answered, “My priority as education leader for DCHS is to increase student learning and make AYP. We are in Whole School Improvement Year 5 due to our literacy scores and it will take a team effort from every teacher and every student to accept the challenges we have before us. Having worked with a school that had twice the number of students as Drew Central turn things around and make AYP after being in academic distress for 6 years, I know this school, these teachers, your sons and daughters, can do this. Together we can!”
Steve Nobles “Favorites”
Food – Mexican
TV Show – any CSI, except NY; The Closer, NUMB3RS, Monk (many more)
Movie – Hoosiers
Author – John Grisham
Restaurant – Ruth’s Chris (Memphis)
Place to relax? – “a swimming pool!”
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As a mother of two high school students, we welcome you. We have great faith in our school and know that we able to do great things. We are looking forward to your leadership and experience. Mr. Ferguson, thank you for your years of wonderful service. Your smiling face will be missed and you will always have our respect.