SUIS Gubei Academic Principal
Rick Spadafora
We are excited to announce the appointment of Rick Spadafora as Academic Principal of Shanghai United International School, Gubei Campus, starting in August 2025.
Rick Spadafora is an international educational leader with over 35 years of teaching and senior management experience in prestigious schools across Asia, particularly in Hong Kong and Mainland of China. He has overseen the authorization processes for many new schools, helping them flourish and thrive in the process. Rick is most proud of his role in developing Keystone Academy, Beijing, as one of China’s leading pioneering bilingual schools. He also has extensive involvement with the IB as an English examiner, workshop leader, and IBDP verification and evaluation team leader.
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Working in education, at both a teaching and leadership level, provides me with an unlimited spring of inspiration and imagination. I relish the energy and dynamism of working with teenagers whilst helping them navigate the challenges they face in an uncertain world. Collaborating with a team of dedicated and passionate educators provides me with unlimited stimulus, especially knowing that we are all striving to build an exceptional educational experience and a supportive community of which we are all proud of and where students and staff can reach their fullest potential.
I completely welcome and invite parent input into the success of our school’s programme. I look forward to working in close partnership with you to nurture a community where our students thrive academically, socially, and personally, and where together we continue to build upon the legacy that exists and of which we are all proud. Much of my career – and personal life – has been a blend of ‘East meets West’, making me a firm proponent of having strong foundations in one’s heritage before venturing beyond as the benefits of intercultural understanding open so many professional and social opportunities. Working with the community, I hope to contribute to this cornerstone of our programme.
Outside school, I enjoy spending time with family, hiking, running and dabbling in philosophy. I am very excited about living in Shanghai and taking in all it has to offer. Although most of my travel days are behind me, there are still some gems in China I have not explored yet, like Hangzhou and Dunhuang.
I consider myself very fortunate and honored to be working at and helping to lead a school that has a solid academic and community reputation, that has robust systems in place and that has people who have connected and committed themselves to the success of the organization. I am indebted to all who have contributed to this endeavor and hope to evolve and strengthen what already exists.
—— SUIS Gubei Academic Principal | Rick Spadafora
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Again, let us welcome Rick’s arrival! We wish everyone a very successful semester.