Spartanburg Day School

Spartanburg Day School is pleased to announce Jonathan Williams has been appointed as the next head of Lower School.  

Williams is an experienced and passionate educator with nearly a decade of classroom and school leadership experience. He currently serves as assistant head of school for academics and school culture at Bishop Walker School for Boys in Washington, D.C. Prior to moving into an administrative role, Williams served as a fourth and fifth grade teacher in the D.C. area and abroad in Doha, Qatar. 

Williams earned a bachelor’s degree from Morehouse College and will complete a master’s of education in independent school leadership from the notable Klingenstein Center Teachers College at Columbia University this December. 

“It is an honor and privilege to be joining the Spartanburg Day School community,” Williams said. “From my very first phone call, I knew there was something special about this community. That became obvious once I met the caring and thoughtful parents, wonderful faculty, and, of course, the amazing students that grace the halls of the Lower School. I look forward to learning and growing with the entire SDS community, and I'm excited for the opportunity to lead the Lower School.”

Head of School Rachel Deems noted that during the search process Williams was described as a tireless worker, an advocate for faculty and a connector of people.

“Jonathan Williams brings an energy and passion for the education of young children that will be a wonderful complement to the mission of our school and to the teaching philosophy for which our lower school is known and respected,” Deems said. “I look forward to his leadership in the lower school and to his contributions to our leadership team.  We look forward to welcoming Jonathan and his family to the Day School community.”

Williams is an active member of the community, serving and volunteering for a variety of organizations including 100 Black Men of Greater Washington, D.C., Meals on Wheels and Toys for Tots. He and his wife Seshmi are proud parents to two young daughters, Taylor, 3 years old, and Brooke, 18 months. 

He will begin in his new role this summer and looks forward to welcoming SDS’s youngest Griffins back to campus in August.