FALL 2025 Ransom Everglades LOG 23 A lifelong educator, Shelly Stamler devoted 16 years of service to Ransom Everglades as an English teacher, academic dean and administrative leader at the middle school. Shelly and her husband Cliff are also the proud parents of alumni, Sarah Stamler Serviansky ’01 and Marissa Stamler Canida ’06. Over the years, they have shown tremendous dedication to Ransom Everglades through The Fund for RE, capital projects and, most recently, through their contribution to The McMahon Faculty Endowment, which supports a cost-of-living allowance for all full-time faculty. Q: What inspires you and Cliff to pay it forward and stay involved as donors for so many years? What are your hopes for the impact and outcomes of your philanthropy? The answer is simple – teachers bring the magic to our children. They energize and inspire them to be curious, to love learning and to become lifelong learners. I am so proud of the Board of Trustees for recognizing that our teachers deserve our full support. During my time as a faculty member and administrator at the middle school, I witnessed daily how talented teachers capture the imagination of students. I’ll never forget the Friday afternoon at the middle school when an accreditation team member popped in on short notice for a school tour. What he saw that afternoon showcased teaching at its best. In George Kasyan’s physical science class, beakers bubbled on Bunsen burners as students logged results on their laptops and compared outcomes in real time. In a 6thgrade language class with Maria Eugenia Abrante, students proudly sang while signing in American Sign Language. And in the Band Room with Cathi Leibinger, it felt as if we’d walked into Stomp with students banging garbage pail lids in perfect rhythm. He turned to me and said, “This place is magic.” I answered, “Yes, it is – and the faculty are the magicians.” There is no substitute for a creative, inspiring, passionate and caring teacher. Our support for them is essential. Q: Was there a teacher in your life who shaped how you view education? I started out as an English teacher, and when Cliff and I moved to San Francisco, I decided to study law. We were required to take tax law, and as an English major, I really didn’t expect to enjoy this class. The professor who taught it had been named Teacher of the Year seven years in a row. He was such an inspiring teacher that I took more of his classes. He made tax law the most fascinating subject in school. I shared this experience with teachers to let them know that it is always the teacher who makes the subject come alive, no matter what the subject is. Q: What is happening at Ransom Everglades today that excites you? I’m especially excited about the cost-ofliving allowance to support RE’s teachers. In my book, a top priority is making sure the school attracts, supports and retains the very best faculty. I also had the opportunity to step in as a substitute at the upper school in the last school year, and it was exciting and gratifying to witness the level at which the ninth-grade students interacted with the literature they were studying. They were able to discuss the complex human emotions in Oedipus Rex and Macbeth and make connections between these pieces of literature and current events. Q: What makes Ransom Everglades teachers unique? Their enthusiasm and their love of what they do. They make learning hands-on, engaging and fun. The human element in teaching is irreplaceable, even with advanced technology and artificial intelligence. AI will never inspire enthusiasm or spark curiosity the way a teacher can. Who brings learning to life? It’s the teachers, always and forever. with Shelly Stamler Allan Serviansky ’99, Sarah Stamler Serviansky ’01, Marissa Stamler Canida ’06, Brian Canida, Seated: Shelly Stamler, Cliff Stamler By Kim Arredondo The Stamler family
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