Joshua Pieper (pronounced PEE-PER) was an Educational Assistant at the school for two years, before joining the Resource department this year.

He is a Class of 2008 alumnus and bears a youthful appearance.

“A lot of people get confused that I’m a student,” he said, “but I haven’t been in high school for a decade.”

He attended Creighton University in Omaha, Nebraska where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology in 2012.

He is a former military dependent whose family in Texas, Italy, Utah, and Hawaii, before settling in Hawaii when his dad retired.

While Pieper is relatively new to teaching he has already discovered his favorite part about educating young minds.

“The greatest part of teaching is doing a service for others who will reap the rewards for the rest of their lives,” he said. “Students also recognizing that a teacher cares for them and gives the reciprocal effort in the classroom is also a reward I look forward to.”

He said teaching is rewarding when students enjoy what they are learning.

“Enthusiasm often brings critical thinking into the subject and I like students who see the grand scheme of things and will do the little things necessary to achieve success,” Pieper said.

He said that teaching has been a shock to his system because of what goes into this field.

“I strive for excellence, and the goals I have set have allowed me to move out of my comfort zone,” he said. “I have felt like a part of the Radford ohana for well over a decade, and my expectations are exceeded in the degree the staff are willing to go to assist me. Students who know me also seek me out looking forward to the year we are going to spend together.

Outside of work, Pieper enjoys basketball and all aspects of the game.

“Coaching basketball is how I got into teaching in the first place, so it just goes to show you how opportunities come from everywhere you go, “ he said.