Mirrors – Looking Past Our Reflections into the Futures

Take52 Challenge – Week 8

Mirrors are magical objects.  They allow the individual standing in front of them to look upon the past, the present, and the future.  Seeing our reflections staring back at us, we can’t help but think of where we have come from to get us to where we are today.  We cannot help but think about where we will be days, weeks, months, years down the road.  As we age and as we mature, our styles and appearances change.  Some are changes we’ve set in motion; some are changes that were placed upon us without our input.

But nonetheless, it is the mirrors and the reflections within that allow us to recognize and to be who we are.  The mirrored reflection does not know how to lie.

This mirror that I have found has allowed me to reflect upon my school and myself…

This moment in time has been in the works for many years, on many levels. I feel very lucky to be a part of such a warm, welcoming, caring, and positive environment. 

On February 21^st the school that I teach at celebrated it’s 20^th Anniversary.  The POWER Program is an alternate school offering students aged 16-19 years an opportunity to complete their education in a setting that is vastly different from the “traditional” schools.

The celebration provided former students and staff to gather and reminisce about the past.  It also provided current staff and students the opportunity to look past who we are and into the reflections of the future.

When the program was first developed there was a large open area with stark white walls, some tables, and some chairs.  There were no “real” desks for teachers to sit and to use, there was not even an office.  Overtime the space began to fill with students and with desks; but most importantly with life.  The POWER Program had turned from a semi-school setting to the community that it is today.  All staff and students hold a mutual respect for our environment and for each other.  We share our lives as if we were all family.  We are a family!  It is only possible for us to continue to build on the great successes we’ve had.

Shutter Priority; ISO 1600; Shutter 1/30; Aperture f4.2; Focal Length 45mm; ev 0; WB - Custom

Shutter Priority; ISO 1600; Shutter 1/30; Aperture f4.2; Focal Length 42mm; ev +0.3; WB - Custom; B&W was done during editing

It was this night, this celebration, thinking about reflections that I had the opportunity to look at how far I’ve come in the past 5 years of my career, and where I came from even before that.  Looking past the night’s reflection and where I am today, I can only hope that I am provided the chance to continue teaching at the POWER Program.

It was an amazing event that could not have been possible without EVERYONE that has ever been, that is, and that will be a part of the POWER Program!  Here’s to another 20 years!

As always I welcome any thoughtful critiques.