William (Bill) Spedding
San Antonio
Summary
Dynamic educational leader with a proven track record at Keystone School, excelling in strategic planning and curriculum development. Spearheaded innovative wellness initiatives and faculty recruitment, enhancing student engagement and academic outcomes. Passionate about experiential education, I fostered international travel opportunities, enriching the learning experience for students and faculty alike.
Overview
29
29
years of professional experience
Work History
Head of Upper School
Keystone School
San Antonio
06.2013 - Current
- Responsible for academic, cultural, and operational oversight for Upper School, ≈130 students grades 9-12
- Directed student life, academic counseling, scheduling, curricular alignment, faculty development, and staffing.
- Planned and executed 20+ faculty searches; participated in senior administrative searches (Head of School x2; Directors: Technology, Admissions, Athletics, College Counseling; Division Heads; Department Leads).
- Participated with Keystone board of trustees on schoolwide strategic planning initiatives (2014, 2017)
- Led major policy and program revisions: dress code overhaul, curricular integration of AI, GPA policy revisions, cell-phone policy, homework-load study and policy guidelines, master scheduling, and exam schedule redesign.
- Expanded Wellness Program to include sexual health education and substance abuse prevention programs, bi-weekly check-ins with student leadership on campus issues, and student co-development of 6 advisory circle lessons throughout the year on wellbeing topics
- Implemented 'Trust-Based Observation' teacher-evaluation practices and supported faculty professional growth, improving instructional consistency and student outcomes.
- Expanded admissions process by presenting at local terminal 8th grade schools and developed extensive retention program for Keystone 8th graders to remain for high school.
- Directed consistent, sustained experiential programs and travel-study opportunities for students and faculty to US National Parks and summer international trips (annual, excepting 2020).
- Https://keystoneschool.org/
Sponsor
Keystone School
San Antonio
01.2004 - Current
- Keystone School Student Council
- Wellness Council
- Robotics Team/Camber FRC # 9658 (2024-present)
- Https://keystoneschool.org/
History instructor
Keystone School
San Antonio
01.2003 - Current
- Developed and taught World History, AP European History, Controversy: Debating Current Events, Modern Global Issues: China, Modern Global Issues: Middle East, African American History through Film
- Https://keystoneschool.org/
Volleyball Coach
Keystone School
San Antonio
01.2003 - 01.2025
- Https://keystoneschool.org/
Full-time Instructor of History
Salem Academy
Winston-Salem
01.1998 - 01.2003
- Designed and taught Non-Western Cultures and European History for grades 9–12.
- Created two separate three-week elective courses on African-American history and contemporary U.S. issues.
- Coach, JV and Varsity volleyball; sponsor 2000–2002, Mock Trial team (1998-2003)
- Https://salemacademy.com/
Social Science Instructor (Summer Program)
North Carolina Governor’s School
Winston-Salem
06.1997 - 08.1999
- Designed and facilitated a six-week course exploring race/ethnicity, gender, and globalization for gifted and talented residential high school students from throughout the state.
Education
Secondary Social Studies Certification -
Salem College
Winston-Salem, NC05.2003
M.A. - History
Wake Forest University
Winston-Salem, NC05.1997
B.A. - History
Lenoir-Rhyne College
Hickory, NC05.1994
Skills
- Strategic planning and program assessment
- Curriculum development
- Advanced Placement level instruction
- Faculty recruitment and development
- Experiential education and international travel coordination
- Student wellness initiatives
- Accreditation and compliance
References
Available upon request
Awards
- Salem Academy, Recipient, Elsie Nunn Headmaster’s Award, 2003
- Keystone School, Recognized by College Board as 'Best in the World' Teacher for AP European History test results, 2005 and 2026
Professional Development
- Independent School Association of the Southwest (ISAS), Accreditation site visit to partner schools 2017, 2020; Keystone accreditation committee chair 2008, 2019; Division Heads conference attendee (2014–present).
- National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS), National Conferences (2015, 2026); Aspiring Heads program 2016.
- Learning & the Brain Conference, The Science of How We Learn (2017, San Francisco).
- NCTA (National Consortium for the Teaching of Asia) at UC Boulder, In person attendance at multiple 40+ hour summer seminars on Modern China (2012, 2013, 2014, 2018) and various webinars 2015-2022; Educational travel to China/Japan for 3 weeks with US based teachers to examine educational systems (Summer 2010).
- World Affairs Council of Dallas, TX, Educational travel to the United Arab Emirates (03/01/17) with US teachers to engage in-country with government and education leaders.
- Primary Source, Traveled to China (04/01/19) with US teachers to examine Chinese educational system.
- ISEEN Conference, Independent Schools Experiential Education Network, Toronto (2014) — Risk management for student travel.
- College Board, AP Modern European History examiner and grader (summers 2006–2012); AP European History training workshop (07/01/03).
Affiliations
Road cycling, Ultimate frisbee, reading, travel
Timeline
Head of Upper School
Keystone School
06.2013 - Current
Sponsor
Keystone School
01.2004 - Current
History instructor
Keystone School
01.2003 - Current
Volleyball Coach
Keystone School
01.2003 - 01.2025
Full-time Instructor of History
Salem Academy
01.1998 - 01.2003
Social Science Instructor (Summer Program)
North Carolina Governor’s School
06.1997 - 08.1999
Secondary Social Studies Certification -
Salem College
M.A. - History
Wake Forest University
B.A. - History
Lenoir-Rhyne College