Margo Fisher-Bellman

Margo Fisher-Bellman’s 25-year career in education is characterized by a Maslow-inspired belief: A student can’t critically analyze the world if their basic need to be seen and supported isn't met first. After two decades teaching seventh- through 12th-grade English, Fisher-Bellman transitioned to the library five years ago, fueled by a passion for information literacy. Teaching students to interrogate sources and ask challenging questions is a vital act of democratic preservation—one best performed with a sharp eye and (for sanity) a steady sense of humor. Fisher-Bellman holds a bachelor’s in education from Ohio University, a master’s in English and rhetoric from Xavier University, and her K-12 Library License from Kent State University. Throughout her career, she has been a National Board Certified English teacher, a frequent presenter at local, state, and national conferences, an adjunct professor for pre-service educators, and a consultant for the Ohio Department of Education. For the last 11 years, she has worked at Walnut Hills High School in Cincinnati. When she isn’t empowering students to be critical thinkers or navigating the wonderful chaos of the high school library, Fisher-Bellman can be found gardening, reading, or attempting to keep up with her family and her dog, Zelda.