Matt Burgy, Head of School

September 8, 2023

Dear Oakridge Family,

Where were you on 9/11/2001? I can remember distinctly where I was when I heard the news. I was not even in education, working in an entirely different industry. Sitting in front of a house that I was building, I heard on “The Ticket” (I am a Day 1, P1 for those of you who know what that means…) that a plane had just hit the North Tower and the illusion that this was some type of accident was quickly erased. The shock and disbelief that filled the air was palpable. However, what I remember most was not the unbelievable sight of the towers falling; it was the acts of bravery and unity that ensued in the aftermath of the tragedy. As a country, we showed resilience and determination and stood up in the face of exceptional adversity.

I am reminded each year as the day approaches of the importance of teaching young people is about more than just ABCs, 123s, and SATs. Our mission is to create an environment where children are challenged and nurtured to seek their full potential. It implores us to cultivate social responsibility, mutual respect, and personal integrity. I bold those words because teaching children to seek and even harder to cultivate is not easy. Both seeking and cultivating are perpetual processes, and we can always work to create an even greater sense of responsibility to the environment around us, a respect that honors who people are, and a commitment to personal integrity that serves as a guiding light for each other. It is, indeed, an honor to serve such a noble mission.

As we seek to become better versions of ourselves, let us not forget the many who paved the way before us. Let us continue to support one another and cherish the bonds of this great community that helps us seek and cultivate the skills that will make for a better world.

With Gratitude,

Matt Burgy
Head of School