By Grace DeGregorio
Recently in Lexington
KY, the Transylvania University Athletics Department inducted five stellar
athletes into its 2017 Pioneer Hall of Fame class. Among them was Bill Bradford, who attended
the school with a diving scholarship and competed as a diver for its swimming
and diving team for four seasons. He
qualified for two NAIA National Championships (1999, 2001), finishing in 1999
as the national runner-up in the 1-meter diving event. Bill went undefeated in
conference championship meets.
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| Bill Bradford accepting his award at the Hall of Fame ceremony. |
“I had a great
opportunity and enjoyed awesome achievements I’m proud of,” says Bill who,
after graduation, was recruited to be the diving coach at Transylvania from
2003-2009.
“Each of [the] five
inductees has held an impactful relationship with Transylvania University since the first time they stepped onto our
campuses,” observed Dr. Holly Sheilley, Vice President for Enrollment and
Student Life. According to Bill, now a
resident of Cincinnati’s Oakley neighborhood, his experience at Transylvania is
one of three that have significantly impacted his life.
A second occurred when,
in 2017, a seven-member committee unanimously selected Bill to become assistant
superintendent for teaching and learning for the Fort Thomas Independent
Schools. It was a fitting step in a
career path on which Bill has flourished.
He began his career in
education as a Spanish teacher at Layfayette High School in Lexington. “I then worked as an instructional
support specialist, supporting the
principal and teachers at middle school level.”
With this solid
background, and having earned his masters at Georgetown in Lexington (“a great
education program!”) and a second masters (a Rank 1 in Instructional Leadership)
at Eastern Kentucky University, Bill “felt ready to assume a principal’s
responsibility. At that same time many
of my friends were in medical school and moving onto their residencies, so I
thought it was time for me to move on, too.
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| Bill with the Hall of Fame induction plaque he received from his alma mater, Transylvania University. |
“I researched Covington
schools and felt it was a great district with great students. I interviewed and was offered a job.” He became principal at Sixth District
Elementary School, then served as assistant superintendent for learning support
at Covington Independent Schools. “Each
year I grew to love the area more and more and got involved in regional
education.” This career phase spanned 7½ years before assuming his current
position at Fort Thomas Independent Schools this past July.
“I’ll be handling
assessment management, curriculum, instruction and school leadership,
supporting principals and their assistants,” explains Bill. “I feel I have a good perspective, having
held similar positions in my career.”
Among his
responsibilities is involvement in several big projects. “The state is migrating to a new assessment
structure. There’s a need to prepare
people and accelerate programs already in place. We’re taking on redeveloping the curriculum
to create uniformity between the schools and providing adequate access to materials.”
Bill came on board at
Fort Thomas at the same time as new superintendent Karen Cheser and Jamee
Flaherty, assistant superintendent for student services. “There is a team approach with my two
colleagues,” he explains. “There are
five schools - a high school, a middle school and three elementary schools -
serving about 3300 students. Fort Thomas
has a great reputation - when homes are on sale, they go quickly! And local
businesses engage with the schools.”
Bill, who says he always
loved teaching, enjoys co-teaching a dual credit course at the high school, in
conjunction with Thomas More College, with Karen Cheser and Jamee
Flaherty. “I’m also an adjunct professor
at Northern Kentucky University, teaching a principal preparatory class. It’s a chance to teach and influence future
principals.”
Since coming to this
area, Bill says he’s lived in several locations but, “I always seemed to be in the Hyde Park area
for shopping and other activities, so I thought, ‘Why not live there?’.” Three years ago he moved to Oakley. “I love
it! It’s convenient for walking and
running, there’s a nice connected environment and it’s a diverse area.”
Bill is active in
several sports and fitness programs in the community. “I play tennis for Eastern Hills in men’s single
matches on Sundays and doubles matches on weekends. In the off-season I play in spring
leagues. I’ve gotten to know the city,
traveling to different areas and meeting people.”
He also is a regular at
Orangetheory Fitness Workout Studio.
“I’ve been there a year working on weight and resistance training, on
the treadmill and in water resistant rowing. The ‘orange’ concept refers to
aerobic exercises - the highest level of heart rate attained is considered the
orange area.”
Bill is especially
enjoying these activities because he now can.
A few years ago he began a personal odyssey ending with the third
significant impact to his life: a 245 pound weight loss.
“It’s been life
changing. People look at my before and
after photos and don’t believe it’s the same person.” In recognition of his accomplishment, Bill
was selected this past summer to be highlighted as a member by Orangetheory
Fitness.
Between his new job,
teaching and an active personal life, one would think Bill Bradford was busy
enough. But one additional major
activity helps fill his days.
“I’m working on my
doctorate at NKU. I’ve completed all my
course work and now am in the dissertation phase.” His topic is The Impact of Classroom
Environment Effect on Student Learning.
It’s really no surprise
Bill’s schedule is bustling - but rewarding.
Even while a diver at Transylvania he enjoyed not just the sport but the
opportunities participation afforded him.
“When I was on the team,
there were many chances to travel. It
was a great experience beyond the school.
Between semesters, for example, we went yearly to Boca Raton, FL for 1½
to two weeks at a time to train. And we
went to all kinds of campuses for competitions.
In my junior year Nationals were held in Canada.”
With the richness of his
experiences, his humble appreciation for what he has worked to achieve and the
commitment he shows in all his endeavors, Bill Bradford is making an impact on
the many lives he touches.
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