Fossil Ridge High School’s new Campus Monitor Ian Bell wants students to know that he is not here just to send students to class.

“I’m not here to get you all in trouble,” Bell said. “I’m literally trying to make sure everybody is safe.”

Bell was excited to join Fossil’s staff and strives to make positive, friendly connections with students.

“Getting to interact with students is definitely my favorite part,” he said.

Senior Noe Hernandez says Bell is kind, funny and approachable.

“He knows how to approach our age group well,” Hernandez said. “He has high positive energy.”

Bell’s duties also include making sure the building is safe, that non-students are not in the building and that all doors are secured.

“We’re the monitors not babysitters,” Bell said about him and the other monitor, Steve Leslie.

Before joining Fossil’s staff, Bell had a variety of jobs, including being a stay-at-home dad with his son, Owen. His wife, Brooke, works as a nutritionist. He graduated from Trinity Christian Academy in Texas.

Bell used to love rock climbing but had a bad fall and severely hurt his back. He has since found new hobbies like hiking, collecting Pokemon cards and playing video games with his son. Their favorite game is Diablo III.

“Hiking is kind of the way that I found to stay involved with the outdoors without climbing on rocks and risking bodily injury,” Bell said.

Fossil Dean Melissa Stapleton thought Bell had an impressive resume as an Eagle Scout.

“[It] takes a lot of work and a lot of commitment and shows a lot of character and integrity,” she said. “So that was impressive, and he was excited to be here and eager to get to work.”

Students like Hernandez also appreciate Bell’s enthusiasm.

“He checks up on me a lot, stops me in the hall, and asks me how my day is going,” Hernandez said. “It shows our school really does care about the kids’ problems and we’re not just here for education”