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His love for his children is evident. He spoke fondly of his
Kenyan memories with the kids, of life on their school compound
playing catch until it grew dark or playing cards by candlelight when
the electricity regularly went out. Rick said that the opportunities
for children in the U.S. are great, but the limitations in Kenya forced
his family to spend plenty of time together, which he thinks greatly
contributed to the friendships they now share. “God was sneakily
making me a better father,” he said.
Rick also shared that while living in Korea, he and Cheryl had a
daughter who passed away when she was just 10 days old. As devastating
as that was, he said it was formative in how he saw God
in his life and how he appreciated his living children.
Cheryl echoed Rick, saying that ultimately they were
amazed by how God worked during that time, evidenced
by the consequent salvation of seven of Rick’s students.
“It is such a huge part of our relationship, not because
of the loss, but because of the gain,” Cheryl said.
Despite this tragedy, Rick still gives thanks for
God’s miraculous protection of his family during
all their years abroad. “There was a lot of death and
danger surrounding us,” he said. “In Kenya, we faced
first-generation, inexperienced drivers combined with
terrible roads.” The combination resulted in horrific
vehicular danger and seeing “road carnage” published
in the daily newspapers. Additionally, malaria and other diseases,
corruption, and mob violence were constant threats.
Rick recalled one night when he looked out his window to see
his neighbor’s face in the midst of a mob in their backyard. Rick went
to investigate, and remained there standing next to his neighbor
who stood between a guilty man and the mob who wanted the man’s
life. Rick said he remembers not knowing what would happen, but
faithfully stood in support of saving this man’s life.
“success is when
students want
to talk with you
outside of class
or after they’ve
graduated.”
FaCulTy pRofiLe
It is the crazy stories like this one and his vast travelling that
contribute to Rick’s global perspective and make him such a treasure
at The Bear Creek School. Acting Division Head Blake DeYoung says
one of the greatest things about Bear Creek is the many different
perspectives that each teacher brings from their previous experience
while still maintaining the essence of this school.
“These people are excellent at their jobs,” he says. “They don’t just
‘get’ our culture; they created our culture.” To Blake, Rick is a prime
example of this diversity of informed perspective. “It is really valuable
to have a colleague who is experienced in a fundamentally different
system, and in typical Rick fashion, he broadens your
perspective subtly, through a series of conversations—he
doesn’t bash you over the head with it.”
Rick said sparking students’ interest and making
his subject relevant to students is a primary goal for
him. He tries to make links between history and modern
day, the Great Depression to our recent recession. And
just as important to him is making relationships with
his students: “Success is when students want to talk with
you outside of class or after they have graduated.”
Cheryl agreed, adding, “His kids have always
been real people to him, and he sees his students the
same way. They are his brothers and sisters in Christ.”
Teaching juniors and seniors is a good fit for him
because as Rick said, the teenagers keep him “young and sarcastic.” He
said, “If I ever become annoyed by teenagers, then I know I am too old
for the job.”
Rick is a man of God, a wonderful husband, loving father, and
relational teacher who gives thanks for health, friendship, and God’s
provision both while he was overseas and now. “I am blessed to live
here,” he said. “I still take great joy in coming home and turning on
every light in the house—just because they work.”
Rick is the history department chair, and teaches honors and
ap United states history as well as the Government and politics
class. in college Rick said he never wanted to be an overseas
missionary because there was such a need where he grew up
in the U.s. cheryl remembers him saying at the time, “i would
never move to africa.” Rick is just three classes away from a
master’s degree in ancient and classical history.
During JanTerm 2013, rick Joyner taught a seminar titled “War games:
great Battles and Conflicts.” Here he observes his students playing a
strategy game called Ikusa, based on Samurai warriors of Medieval Japan.
in the class, students also played Conquest of the Empire (not pictured),
based on the battles of the ancient roman Empire.
spring 2013 ModuS ViVendi 21