Each week I send a note to the high school faculty called The Brief.  For the past three years, my first entry (below) has dealt with Sisyphus and the start of a new school year.  

Hanging on my office wall is a piece of art depicting a man strenuously pushing a boulder up a hill.  The work was given to me by a member of the Class of 2018 – Benedetto Matricini – and the man toiling with the boulder is Sisyphus.

In Greek mythology, Sisyphus was a clever king who infuriated Zeus, the protector of both gods and humans, and was punished by having to push a huge boulder up a mountain.  However, every time he gets near the top, the boulder rolls back to the bottom, condemning him to struggle with the boulder and the mountain for eternity.  This TedEd video gives a nice overview of the myth.

I was introduced to the story of Sisyphus in college and have thought a lot about it since.  Like Sisyphus, I believe we have no choice in life but to constantly push our unique metaphorical boulders.   

The good news is that, unlike Sisyphus, when it comes to the work we give our lives to, we can choose to a large degree what we will “push,” where, and with whom.   Through that choice and in that work, we find value, purpose, meaning, and joy.  In the analysis of Albert Camus, “One must find Sysphus happy…as the struggle itself towards the heights is enough to fill a man’s heart.” 

And unlike Sisyphus, our struggle in schools is not solitary, as we have a team around us to share the burden. Our HS Team this year is below and includes 10 new teachers. When our campus opens next week, we will also welcome 33 new students from 10 countries to our community.  

By choice, we have come together from all over the world to “push” for this school, these students, and this team at this time in our lives.  I find this reality inspiring and am excited to see what our year together holds.  We will accomplish great things and I look forward to beginning our important work anew on Monday. It’s an amazing time to be at EAB.

I wish everyone a fantastic start to the year and that your “struggle towards the heights is enough to fill your heart.” 

David