Russell Nicely was a teacher and advisor at Stivers for 26 years from 1956 to 1982. He had graduated from Stivers with the class of 1949. After graduation he was undecided on a career, but after assembling wheel cylinders at Delco Moraine, decided to continue his education at U.D.
Russell credits Dr. Louis J. Farber at U.D. for mentoring his education, completing his B.S. in education in 3 1/2 years while continuing to work second shift. He paid all costs for tuition and books for himself. He later completed his Master’s in Education at U.D.
Mr. Nicely was happy to get his student teacher assignment at Stivers with Horace English as his critic teacher. “His influence and advice was invaluable.”
He started his career, teaching 8th grade English, then Consumer Education, and finally in his major fields of Social Studies and History. He also started a new class called Urban Experiences. Mr. Nicely served as advisor to the senior class and to the student council, and he was in charge of graduation and associated ceremonies. He was honored to have been chosen to lead the National Education Association’s evaluation of Stivers. He was also advisor to the Ten Tigers Club for about 10 years until the State of Ohio ordered all clubs abolished.
In 1959 he met a new Physical Education teacher, Janet Mikesell. She soon became the love of his life and Mrs. Russell Nicely. They both taught at Stivers until she resigned in 1966 when their son, Stephen, was born.
Mr. and Mrs. Nicely live at Indian Lake, Ohio and spend their winters in Englewood, Florida.
