RE Log - Fall 2023

FALL 2023 Ransom Everglades LOG 3 Diversity and Inclusion We are a diverse community, and we promote collaborative inquiry, open- minded discussion, and authentic curiosity about different perspectives and cultures. Honor and Excellence We build on a tradition of honor and academic excellence where students, mentored by inspiring faculty, are challenged to think deeply, critically, empathetically and creatively. Joy and Wellbeing We prioritize the wellbeing of our students, ensuring they feel supported by the community, have ample opportunity to explore their varied interests, and find joy and balance in their lives. Service and Outreach We deliver on the original promises of Paul C. Ransom and Marie and Edward Swenson by guiding students to make a positive contribution to our school community, the neighboring Coconut Grove community and the broader world. I hope you share my enthusiasm about The RE Way – and also that you enjoy this issue of the Ransom Everglades Log , which brings to life the energy and excitement on our campuses and in our alumni community. Don’t miss the insightful piece from English teacher Matt Margini on our faculty’s timely and strategic response to the rise of artificial intelligence (page 12) and another on the school’s increasingly innovative curriculum (page 18). You may be interested to learn more about how I arrived to RE and what drove me into the field of education; you can find that in the story that begins on page 6. Please take a few minutes to read the wonderful columns by my colleagues David Clark ’86 , Jason Locke, Wendell Graham ’74 and Victoria Beatty ’00 . David, our COO and Interim Head of the Upper School, shares a family story and insight into the spirit that he brings to our campuses every day (page 24); Jason, our Executive Director of College Counseling, lends insight into his transformational approach with RE’s college counseling office (page 25); and Wendell and Victoria, who jointly lead our diversity and inclusion efforts, provide an update on our progress at Ransom Everglades (page 26). There is much more: stories on our magical Alumni Weekend 2023 and commencement and a Q and A with beloved faculty emeritus Owen Paris. Our Report of Giving 2022-23 highlights a tremendous season of Raider generosity; once again, RE set a record for annual gifts. That comes as no surprise to me, and I expect we can be even more successful in the coming year. I hope you will have the opportunity to visit RE in 2023-24 and, most importantly, that you will accompany your school as we journey to even greater heights as an institution. We are on the way. The RE Way! Rachel Rodriguez Head of School Since the summer, our mission and core values have shown up in every facet of our students’ education, and my hope is that the entire RE community will become familiar with them.” “ Rachel Rodriguez with the students in her advisory