Role Models: When Outside the Classroom, What Identity Do Keystone Teachers Have?
As night falls on the Keystone Academy campus, some teachers reappear in the boarding students’ residential building and take roll call, collect cell phones, guide evening study, and make their rounds until lights-out.
At Keystone, teachers are not defined solely by the lessons they deliver. Some may also be a dorm parent who mentors and cares deeply about their students’ lives, offering both structure and a sense of sanctuary.
Meanwhile, after a school day is finished, some teachers become leaders or facilitators of various Keystone Activity Program (KAP) clubs and organizations, encouraging students to explore the wider world beyond the classroom or standard textbooks. Other teachers continue as guides for the Personal Project, Creativity, Activity, Service (CAS), and Extended Essay (EE) academic components in Secondary School, helping students venture into new academic and personal territory.
Through the Experiential Learning Program (ELP), Outdoor Education Program (OEP), Global Trips, and the Summer Archway Program, Keystone educators journey with students across landscapes in and out of China, exploring diverse cultures and connecting past, present, and future in living classrooms.
On the courts and fields, some Keystone teachers double as coaches in basketball, soccer, swimming, volleyball, and more—leading practices, cheering from the sidelines, and sharing both victories and defeats as teammates.
Above all, Keystone teachers are companions and confidants, offering life advice and steady support when students need it most.
Education in the present moment
In Keystone’s philosophy, education here is never reduced to a sum of knowledge but takes place in every present moment—in the classroom, in a dorm room, on a mountain trail, or in a gymnasium. Keystone teachers are empowered to embrace multiple roles, witnessing and guiding the growth of students as whole individuals. They nurture strengths, point out areas for growth, and, through small but meaningful acts, help students realize their potential.
This care gives Keystone education its warmth. In this close-knit community, students feel seen, supported, and encouraged—not just to acquire skills and knowledge, but to develop character and cultivate a lasting sense of self that extends beyond school.
Years from now, Keystone graduates will not remember only grades or lectures. They will recall a hug when they felt low, words of encouragement during a struggle, or a smile that gave them courage. They will remember the laughter and challenges they shared with their teachers, as well as the lives they built together day by day.
As Keystone Class of 2021 alumna Angela Wang shared in her Teacher’s Day message: “Thank you for enlightening my thinking and self-awareness, allowing me to firmly choose to be myself in a noisy environment.”
To mark this year’s Teacher’s Day, the Keystone Office of Marketing and Communications caught up with several faculty members for this special feature and asked them what it meant to inhabit these multiple roles. How do they connect with students while balancing responsibilities, and how does that dynamic shape the experience of education?
Through their voices, we invite you to glimpse the broader possibilities of teaching, and to celebrate those who give so much of themselves to their students.
We wish Keystone educators and their counterparts in China and worldwide a meaningful Teacher’s Day!
Being part of a student’s journey
Kristen Billings
30 years of teaching experience
Joined Keystone in 2019
Primary School Teacher-Librarian · Book and Film Club instructor · ELP trip chaperone
One of the roles that has been particularly special to me is being a KAP teacher for a book and film club that explores stories in both English and Chinese through print and film media. This experience has been incredibly fulfilling as it allowed me to connect with students in a more dynamic and interactive way. Watching students get excited about exploring new stories through both books and films has been truly inspiring. It’s heartwarming to see them dive into reading more fiction, especially when a movie or show sparks their interest and leads them to explore the original book.
Another role that has touched me is being a chaperone on ELP trips that take students out of the classroom and into real-world learning experiences. Being a part of these trips has not only seen students grow in various ways but has also enriched my own understanding of China’s rich culture. Each trip leaves me with a deeper appreciation and knowledge of this beautiful country.
Both these roles have reinforced for me the importance of creating engaging and inclusive learning opportunities that go beyond traditional teaching methods. They have shown me the power of nurturing curiosity, empathy, and a love for learning in students, and I feel privileged to be a part of their educational journey outside of the classroom.
A blessing to watch students grow up
Maggie Ma
23 years of teaching experience
Joined Keystone in 2020
Chinese Language Teacher · Advisor · Dorm Parent · Chinese Debate Team instructor
In my five years at Keystone, two moments stand out. The first was a debate competition that took place four years ago. We were one of the few high school teams in the country without a professional coach, relying only on our passion for debate. Our two teams supported each other wholeheartedly, sharing research and practice time. When one team made it to the championship, the other did not walk away—they stayed to help. For three hours, they worked together without complaint, offering encouragement and sharpening arguments. In the end, we won the championship. Watching the students hug one another in joy, I was deeply moved. In that moment, each of them shone.
The second memory came during a night duty in the dormitory. After my shift, I heard a student crying in a nearby room. A 12th grader was overwhelmed—exams, paperwork, extracurriculars, and research projects were weighing on her. We talked for a while, and by the end she said, “I’m feeling a little better now. I’m going to study. I have an exam tomorrow.” The next day, I saw her laughing with her classmates again, and I felt relieved.
As a dorm parent, I share daily life with students—we are neighbors, even family. I watch them strive for their futures, especially those entering the DP program who often face enormous pressure. Sometimes, what they need most is simply an adult who listens and understands. While we cannot solve everything, we can make sure they know they are not alone. For me, it is a blessing to see them grow, leave Keystone, and set off for the universities they have dreamed of.
Seeing students with untapped potential
Tony Lane
23 years of teaching experience
Joined Keystone in 2022
Science Teacher · MS Science Department Leader · U14 Boys’ Varsity Volleyball coach · Advisor
Coaching volleyball provided a window into my students’ character. Away from the pressure of grades, I witnessed their raw vulnerability, fear of failure, and incredible capacity for resilience. My primary role transformed from teaching a skill to cultivating an environment where they felt safe enough to try and potentially fail. This shared journey of struggle and triumph built a deep, trusting connection, establishing us as partners in growth rather than simply instructor and student.
My perspective fundamentally expanded. It’s a privilege to be in situations where I can see students not just as learners of a subject, but as whole individuals brimming with untapped potential. Being a coach constantly reminds me that the quiet student in class could be a fierce leader on the court, and the determination needed to master a spike was the same grit required to solve a complex math problem. These experiences clarified our core mission: it’s not merely about filling minds with knowledge, but about unlocking the confidence and resilience that already resides within each student.
Why this profession
Gillian Williams
42 years of teaching experience
Joined Keystone in 2017
DP Environmental Systems and Societies (ESS) and DP Geography Teacher · Theory of Knowledge (TOK) Coordinator · IB Examiner · ESS IB Textbook Author · Dorm Parent · Advisor
Multiple roles have been part and parcel of teaching at all the schools I have ever taught in, and I always find that the breadth of experiences increases considerably because of the “extras”. KAP shows us another side of the students. Behind the scenes in school productions, with their highs and lows, is always exciting. It never ceases to amaze me how young adults can pull themselves together and put on the performance of a lifetime despite all the pain and heartache that went before the big night. Maybe it is the tough times that help them shine through in the end. As an advisor in Grade 11 and Grade 12, I reflect on how my own daughters dealt with the IB Diploma Programme (IBDP). I watch some of my advisees’ struggles as they come to terms with the load that IBDP represents, and that brings to mind my youngest daughter. Others seem to breeze through it all just as my eldest did. It is good to know such joys and struggles are the same for all young people doing battle with academics.
It is pretty obvious that teachers influence the lives of the students they teach and interact with, and much to my delight, for many students, that continues after they have left. I am still in contact with students I taught between 1993 and 2002 when I was in Malaysia. That “warm fuzzy” feeling continues here, as last year’s senior students send me messages to let me know how they are doing, what they are experiencing, and how ToK and geography are still featuring in their lives. I learn all sorts of interesting things, and I know that I have made a difference in their lives; that is why we chose the profession we chose.
Transformative power
Jim Mao
14 years of teaching experience
Joined Keystone in 2015
Wushu Teacher, Team Leader, and Coach · Associate Dean of Teaching and Learning Center
One experience has stayed with me. A student on the martial arts team had shown exceptional talent and dedication. But his parents approached us with a request to pause his training so he could focus on English tutoring. Coming from a public school, he had a weaker foundation in English and was struggling academically. At first, I realized I had only seen his “bright side” as a performer on the team, without fully understanding the challenges he faced as a Keystone student.
As educators, our mission is to nurture people. I saw this as a chance to support him not only as a coach but as a mentor. After practice, I spoke with him at length—affirming his achievements, reassuring him about stepping back from training, and emphasizing the importance of strengthening his English for the future of martial arts in an international context. With encouragement, he focused on his studies, reached the required level in just half a semester, and returned to the team.
That experience reminded me of the deeper connection coaches can form with their students. Sometimes, our understanding and support can have a transformative effect. And for that, as teachers, we are grateful to witness and to participate in the journey of each child’s growth.
Winning and losing together
Brad Gibbs
13 years of teaching experience
Joined Keystone in 2018
Science Teacher · Personal Project Coordinator · U19 Girls’ Varsity Volleyball coach · Dorm Parent · Advisor · CPT leader
At Keystone, our multifaceted roles allow teachers to use a broader range of skills to connect with students. This helps us understand them from multiple perspectives and build stronger relationships. As a result, we’re better informed and more prepared to support their learning in the classroom.
My role as a volleyball coach has been deeply meaningful. I strive to instill a love for the sport so that my players can continue to stay active and enjoy volleyball well into adulthood. Sharing my passion has allowed me to connect with students in ways that aren’t always possible in the classroom. We win and lose together as a team, and through that experience, I get to support students as they learn how to collaborate and work toward goals that can only be achieved together.
A greater euphoria
Adolfo Gonzales
11 years of teaching experience
Joined Keystone in 2022
Drama Teacher · English Language Acquisition Teacher · Grade Level Leader · U14 Boys’ Varsity Basketball Coach · Advisor
Every moment as a grade level leader (GLL) has impressed and moved me. My skills and understanding of the complexities of leadership have improved drastically after joining my team. Being able to work with such amazing individuals, which includes everyone from my GLL peers, to the ELP leaders and Student Life deans, is an honor and a privilege. I have seen passion, perseverance, compassion, and humility on a whole new level, experiences and skills which will stay with me forever!
As a basketball coach, I am honored to have been able to guide such amazing student-athletes. The drive and passion my boys have had on and off the court is truly inspirational. The level of grit, determination, and perseverance these boys demonstrated says so much about their character, and where they can go. It makes me hopeful for our future to know we will have these gentlemen out there leading the way one day!
Both of these roles helped me forge deeper and more meaningful connections with my kids. Through shared experiences and meaningful conversations, we were able to grow together as student and teacher. Engaging in deeper interactions with my students has always demonstrated the shared commonalities we both possess, and alerted us both that we are all humans doing our best to grow, reach our dreams, and find happiness.
As an educator, nothing brings greater euphoria than witnessing your students confront their fears and reach personal ambitions they never thought possible.
Compassion beyond the classroom
Sandra Thompson, Ph.D.
16 years of teaching & counseling experience
Joined Keystone in 2023
School Counselor · SEL Educator · TSET Teacher · Student Adolescent Mental Health Research Project Supervisor · IBEN Programme Leader and IBEN Workshop Leader
One role that has deeply impacted me is being a supervisor. Currently, I supervise two DP Psychology students with their Extended Essay (EE), a Grade 10 student preparing a performance to highlight the importance of mental health in families for adolescent well-being, and I also support a student’s personal research on adolescent mental health. This supervisory role allows me to engage with students on a personal level, guiding their academic journeys and fostering their personal growth. I have witnessed how this process challenges students to develop perseverance, independence, and critical thinking. A memorable moment was when a student overcame a significant research obstacle with creativity and persistence, which was truly inspiring.
Through these deeper interactions, I have gained a richer understanding of students as whole individuals with unique stories and needs, not just learners. This experience has made my interactions more compassionate and responsive to their well-being, strengthening my connection with them beyond traditional classroom roles.
At Keystone, a spirit of love defines education. Whatever paths Keystone graduates pursue, they carry with them kindness, gratitude, courage, and the strength to be true to themselves.
On this Teachers’ Day, we invite you to share your own message. Leave a comment below to send your warmest wishes, and let us honor our teachers with words as heartfelt and courageous as the work they do every day.
