Terrel Bell

Terrel Howard Bell (November 11, 1921 – June 22, 1996) was the secretary of education in the cabinet of President Ronald Reagan. He was the second secretary of education, following Shirley Hufstedler.

Early life and career Bell was born in Lava Hot Springs, Idaho, on November 11, 1921; at age eight, his father died. and the Albion State Normal School in 1946. After this he served as a school superintendent of various schools in Idaho and Wyoming. He was the superintendent of schools in Rockland, Idaho.

National Commissioner of Education Bell served as the United States commissioner of education (prior to the creation of the cabinet position) under Presidents Richard Nixon and Gerald Ford from 1974 to 1976.

U.S. Secretary of Education Appointed to the Reagan cabinet in 1981, Bell was expected to preside over the dismantling of the Department of Education,

During his tenure, the issue of asbestos in public schools was a major topic of concern.

Resignation and later life Though education's importance was highlighted by the reform drive, Reagan continued to try to reduce funding at the Department of Education. Bell served for Reagan's first term, resigning effective December 31, 1984. Bell was succeeded by Bill Bennett and returned to Salt Lake City to join the faculty at the University of Utah. In 1988, he published his memoir entitled The Thirteenth Man: A Reagan Cabinet Memoir.

Bell published seven other books during his career, covering topics such as improving child intellectual development and reforming the educational process. His last book in 1993, written with his business partner Dr. Donna Elmquist at his nonprofit company T.H. Bell and Associates in Salt Lake City, made new recommendations for improving the U.S. education system. He believed that, "there are three things to emphasize in teaching: The first is motivation, the second is motivation, and the third is (you guessed it) motivation."

Bell was inducted into Idaho's Hall of Fame in 1987.

Personal Bell married Josephine Samuels in 1950. Their son, Jon, died in infancy. Bell divorced Josephine in 1956. He married his second wife, Betty Ruth Fitzgerald in 1957, and they had four sons: Mark F., Warren T., Glenn M., and Peter F. Bell.

Death Bell died in his sleep at age 74 of pulmonary fibrosis at his home in Salt Lake City nowrap|in 1996;