Joseph A. Hester

Trained in both theology and philosophy, Joseph P. Hester was born in Newton, North Carolina, on December 19, 1939. He earned degrees from Lenoir-Rhyne College, Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, and the University of Georgia, and went on to work as both an educator and writer.

His career combined classroom teaching, curriculum work, and higher education. He taught philosophy at Campbell University, later worked for the Catawba County School System in North Carolina, and also served as an adjunct professor at Lenoir-Rhyne College and Appalachian State University. That mix of experience helped shape books centered on thinking skills, ethics, character education, leadership, and school life.

Among his published works are Philosophy for Young Thinkers, Cartoons for Thinking, Teaching for Thinking, Encyclopedia of Values and Ethics, and Ethical Leadership for School Administrators and Teachers. He also received the International Creative Scholar Award from the Torrance Center for Creativity Research in 1995.