More Than Time Long-serving Keystone staff reflect on growth, purpose, and community
In many institutions where values and vision are often spoken of in big-picture terms, recognitions such as long-term service awards provide a quiet but powerful counterpoint to acknowledge individuals who have helped bring that vision to life, day after day.
Keystone Academy recently honored 75 staff members who have marked their long-term service milestones. Many of them work in roles beyond teaching; they engage in counseling, school operations, and leadership. When asked what keeps them at Keystone, these long-serving staff members don’t mention job titles or benefits. Instead, they speak of people, values, and the sense of purpose that ties them to the school’s mission.
At a ceremony to acknowledge these people, Executive Head of School Dr. Emily McCarren linked Keystone’s theme for this school year, “We Belong”, to how employees connect the past, present, and future of the institution.
“None of us is here, forever—not physically anyway. But no matter when or how we leave,
we are always part of Keystone’s rich history, and we are all connected to those who came
before us and those who will come after us,” Dr. McCarren said in her speech.
Through the stories of several long-term service awardees, we offer a window into what it means to grow in a community that values both professionalism and purpose.
Being a family member
Felix Zhou, Buildings and Facilities Helpdesk and five-year service awardee, describes his experience at Keystone as not being “merely an employee” but “part of a family”. He joined in 2019 with limited knowledge of the school but quickly found himself drawn in.
“The name ‘Keystone’ felt very grand when I first heard it,” Felix recalls. “I found my colleagues to be extremely kind and harmonious, making collaboration completely stress-free. I truly enjoyed working alongside them.”
Felix began by supporting event setups, which put him in close contact with students, teachers, and school leaders. That exposure opened doors. “Eventually, I was entrusted with running the audio systems. It was a new field for me, and it means a lot that my supervisors believed in me,” he says. Looking back, he finds deep meaning in seemingly behind-the-scenes work. “At every graduation, we make sure the sound, the lights, the setup—it’s all perfect. It’s our way of honoring the students’ achievements.”
A genuine culture of integrity
Ten-year service awardee Anna Hou, Catering Manager, speaks about a quieter kind of consistency—the kind that builds over time.
“It was the welcoming environment and the people I first connected with that initially attracted me to the school,” she says. “Over the years, the things we do and the community I work with have validated my initial choice.”
One moment, in particular, stands out for her: Keystone’s move to recognize third-party employees through its Long Service Awards. “Since last year, our school has established the Long Service Award, which not only recognizes long service of Keystone employees, but also includes third-party employees,” she says.
“There are many occasions like this that touch me deeply. I feel a sense of belonging here and I believe many others share the same sentiment.”
She adds, “The leaders and my colleagues act with belief, integrity and guiding principles. There’s a collective effort to live by our shared values in the community.”
Going the extra mile
As a college counselor, Yanni Liu emphasizes mission over milestones. “We don’t believe in an admissions-driven culture,” she says. “Our team is united by the belief that every student’s growth matters—not just the outcome.”
Yanni joined Keystone in 2020, but her interest began earlier. “Back in 2015, I attended an open day. The speech of [former Head of School] Malcolm McKenzie about the school’s founding vision really stayed with me,” she says. Her decision to join was later confirmed by a chance meeting with a Keystone administrator at a conference. “Everything aligned when I returned to Beijing. It felt like the right moment.”
She finds meaning in the moments when students move forward. “One of the most meaningful moments for me is reading out the names of graduates at each year's graduation ceremony,” she says. “If I can help them build bridges to engage with the world… it becomes not only a reflection of my own professional growth but also a profound sense of purpose.”
Her team also shapes the field more broadly. “Each member actively engages with professional associations… to stay at the forefront of the field while advocating for a healthy and sustainable industry.”
Student stewards
Andrew Thomas, Primary English Teacher and ten-year service awardee, was drawn to Keystone by its bilingual mission—and he stayed because of the real-world impact of its curriculum. “What initially attracted me to Keystone was its commitment to bilingual education,” he says. “Over the years, I have chosen to stay because of the effectiveness of our English immersion program.”
He recalls a powerful teaching moment during the Our World unit: “Students used multimedia to research animals and their habitats while engaging with literature that fostered resilience and kindness,” he says. “Witnessing students learn about wild animals through diverse activities like role play, artistic creation, and even visiting a local pond was incredibly rewarding. It was inspiring to see them embrace their roles as stewards of the environment.”
Professional learning has also shaped his path. “This year’s ‘Stretching at Your Collaborative Edges’ orientation workshop transformed my approach to teaching and leadership in our ever-evolving educational landscape,” he reflects. “I discovered that effective communication is key to building strong relationships with students and colleagues… This experience has inspired me to create meaningful connections and contribute to a positive school culture.”
“Leadership here is rooted in service, not status.
Service leadership
For Nick Daniel, Head of High School and five-year service awardee, student leadership is about values, not hierarchy. “Student leadership at Keystone is grounded in our five shared values,” he says. “As a result, our graduates’ understanding of benevolent leadership and wise decision-making, of leadership as a service which attends to the well-being of others, will be a healthy and much needed counterbalance to other, less admirable forms.”
He credits Keystone’s curriculum with fostering this mindset. “Our bilingual TOK model and our Grade 10 Capstone Project are just two examples in the High School,” he says. “Many schools try it, but very few achieve excellence. Keystone is a leader in this regard.”
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These reflections—across roles, departments, and years—point to a shared culture of trust, integrity, and purpose. Whether it’s through maintaining campus operations, guiding students, preparing meals, or developing curriculum, these long-serving staff members offer a quiet reminder: Keystone is a place where people come to grow, and often, to stay.
