Jaime in Hawaii in July: Celebrating 4 Graduation Anniversaries

Thursday, July 1, 2021

I have been on a lifelong academic journey that is in sync with my purpose to make a vital change in our education system. I have planned my path accordingly, worked very hard, struggled, succeeded, and survived. Now, it is time to celebrate, Jaime in Hawaii in July! This month on my B.R.E.A.T.H.S. blog, everyday I will be sharing my adventures. Today, I give you a little background behind my celebrations. 

Lifelong Plan to Change Our Education System

Last year in March 2020, I finally graduated with my doctorate in educational leadership and educational technology. My doctoral schooling started in March 2009, so it took me exactly 11 years to finish what I had started, and I had to finish, it was in my life’s plan to change our education system. 

The Change is Here

Throughout the years, I have really learned everything happens for a reason. I learned the reason it took so long for me to finish my doctoral dissertation, is because nobody was aware as I was how our education system was broken, and I have been on a mission to fix it. My dissertation is titled, “Examining Barriers to Distance Learning Instruction in Alternative Education: A Single Case Study.” When the pandemic hit, everyone around the world was instantly moved into distance learning instruction in an alternative education setting, and realized our education system hit rock bottom. This validated all my years of schooling, study, and research.

Time to Celebrate, Or Not

In January 2020, I had ordered a cap and gown for my graduation ceremony and booked my graduation trip to Hawaii for two weeks in April to celebrate with a couple high school friends. Neither of those things happened last year due to Covid-19 shutting everything down. I was a bit bummed, but I do know everything happens for a reason. Sure enough, this year, everything starts to open back up. 

Celebrating 4 Graduation Anniversaries

I started calling and texting my friends in Hawaii to find a good time to visit. I also checked the National Parks on the islands and only two remain closed out of nine, and they are on different islands than I had planned to visit. July started clicking as the time to go, but how long should I stay, I wondered. Then it hit me, this year 2021, I have four graduation anniversaries: 25yr high school, 20yr bachelors of education, 15yr masters of education, and one year doctoral of education. 

Jaime in Hawaii in July

This gives me quadruple the reason to celebrate in Hawaii, so I decided to spend four weeks this July, one week for each of the accomplishments. I never went on a graduation trip and I only attended my first two graduation ceremonies. I have brought my lucky doctoral cap and intend on wearing it every day in honor of my lifelong academic achievements. 

Thank you for reading and viewing,

Dr. Jaime Brainerd, Ed.D.