Memorial to Honor Late English Teacher

Friends, teachers and students past and present will gather Sunday to memorialize Sherry Beth Stern, a longtime English teacher at Birmingham High School who died in July at age 58.

The Santa Monica resident taught at Birmingham for 32 of her 37 years with Los Angeles Unified School District. Birmingham’s student-written yearbook called her style “in your face, up close and personal” and marveled that “on any given day, she knows more intimate details about students and their families than the [National] Enquirer.”

Colleague Emily Ettinger, who is organizing the memorial service, did not dispute those observations. But she added that Stern always blended caring with assertiveness.

Stern’s death, which occurred unexpectedly during elective surgery July 12, “was quite a shock to everyone,” Ettinger said. “Most of the students and faculty were away. Her Advanced Placement students walked into the room on the first day of class and there was no Mrs. Stern.

“This woman was so vivacious, so full of life. . . . She really affected a whole lot of people. She tried to have students realize their full potential.”

Stern worked to establish Advanced Placement classes at Birmingham. She also founded the Shakespearean Club and organized class trips to destinations that included San Diego and Israel.

The service is scheduled for 2 p.m. at the performing arts building at the school, 17000 Haynes St.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be sent to the Sherry Beth Stern Memorial Scholarship Fund, care of the school’s address, Van Nuys, CA 91406.

For more information, contact Ettinger at (818) 881-1580.