Another month has passed, another photography challenge with my circle of photographers. This month’s theme: DETERMINATION.
With the Olympics on my television around the clock, I had visions of capturing my children dribbling down a soccer field, running along the beach, or crossing a set of monkey bars. Before venturing out with my kids and my camera, I decided to take a moment to look up the definition of the word.
de.ter.mi.na.tion
noun
1. the act of coming to a decision or of fixing or settling a purpose.
2. ascertainment, as after observation or investigation: determination of a ship’s latitude.
3. the information ascertained; solution.
4. the settlement of a dispute, question, etc., as by authoritative decision.
5.the decision or settlement arrived at or pronounced.
Hmmmm? It seems that the actions in my mind do not exemplify determination, but maybe the result of determination? The decision prior to the act is actually the determination.
Example: finishing a marathon is not determination. It is the result of deciding to register; setting the alarm each day for training and during the actual race, deciding to continue, mile after mile.
So, do I try to capture the process? Or the results?
I erased the previous images in my head and re-thought the entire project.
In the last six months we have faced a huge, difficult decision. While I often joke that the hardest part of moving every 1-3 years is finding a new hairdresser, in reality the hardest aspect of every single move involves the education of my 4 children.
This current assignment has proven to be the most challenging of all. (Here’s a reminder of last year’s situation.)
Not completely satisfied with the school options presented to us here in Puerto Rico, we had to make choices regarding our kids and the 2012 – 2013 school year. One that we would be happy with, would follow through with, and in the end find successful. Life is too short and education too important to “waste” a year. The way we looked at it, our options looked like this:
a) continue on with the current schools in the DoDEA system
b) move into private schools
c) leave formal schooling and join the home school world
To say that I was determined to give my kids the best outcome possible is an understatement. Easier said than done. My decision-making looked something like this:
sleepless nights
endless research
We debated each option.
a) continue on with the current schools in the DoDEA system.
There are some good things happening inside classrooms. There are a few exceptional teachers. We have a personal, vested interest in making the schools better for our own children, those in our squadron and those who will follow in our footsteps in years to come. If we left the school system, how could we stay active in the improvement process? Would others continue our efforts to hold the system accountable? If the kids attend the schools, what can we do to make the experience a more positive one?
b) move into private schools
Yes there are English-speaking private schools. Yes they are well-beyond a military family’s budget. Unfortunately, even with the high costs, they still don’t meet all of our academic expectations. Is it worth having our children start over with a new system and new friends for just one year?
c) leave formal schooling and join the home school world
This one was the hardest. While it seems to be the most obvious choice, I really struggled with it. Why? As a child I would have HATED it. I would have seen being taken out of school as a punishment. You see, I love teachers. I was a teacher, my parents are retired teachers, my sister is a teacher…. In every place that we have lived, some of the most influential people in our kids’ lives and favorite family friends have been their teachers. I hate the idea of missing out on those role models.
So here we are, August and what have we decided?
d) All of the above.
Caitlyn will be attending a private school at home. George Washington University in Washington D.C. has created a virtual high school. She will attend classes online with real-live teachers and other students from all over the world. Through emails, skype and online blackboard she will have a school year that is as interactive as possible, considering she will be at home. Best parts? Wearing pjs to class, creating greater ownership of her education, and spending lots of time with her amazing mother.
Victoria has started 7th grade in the DoDEA system. The middle school is where we see the most possibility for change. We know all of her teachers personally and they are well-aware of our high expectations. Add in the fact that I will be taking on some leadership roles within the school, and I will be keyed into exactly what is going on from day-to-day.
Grace is attending 5th grade, also at the Middle School. She is now placed in honors classes and this makes a huge difference in what takes place during class. She is happy, and so far, headache free! She has taken this year as an opportunity to reach out to new students and I know that getting to know other kids who move around like she does has been reassuring.
Harry is in 3rd grade at the Elementary School. We are keeping an open mind that we may opt-out mid year and start homeschooling. Just a week in and we have already experienced some of the issues of last year (poorly trained substitutes, lack of English in the classroom, poor communication.) Either way, we will spend a good deal of time supplementing his academics to make sure that he is prepared for our next location.
I am determined that the next year will be fun and educational.
I want the upcoming months to be filled with wonderful memories rather than a desperate countdown.
How will we see this through?
We are DETERMINED…..
to bring a smile everywhere we go.
to speak up, loudly when needed.
to question, constantly.
to interact globally.
to stay focussed.
to concentrate.
to express thoughts.
to share ideas.
to be engaged in learning.
to take note.
and most of all, to keep a sense of humor!
Take a look at some other talented photographer’s interpretation of determination.
AMY, KATIE, REBECCA, LEA, MELANIE, & MEREDITH
