Policy, practice, and parenthood: a study of teacher mothers

ABSTRACT

This phenomenological study extends the current research on working mothers to teacher mothers. Themes highlighted include work/life enrichment, support for motherhood role, challenge to find balance, challenging cultural norms, financial challenges, and strategies for managing multiple roles. Findings reveal and highlight challenges and opportunities that exist at the intersection of the field of education and motherhood. Also provided are suggestions for advocacy efforts for norms and policies that support teacher mothers. Implications of this work are particularly relevant in the contemporary era, wherein the roles of motherhood and teacher are intensified by the shift to online learning as a result of the pandemic.

KEYWORDS:

• Teachers
• mothers
• phenomenology
• culture
• gender

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Mary A. Hermann

Dr. Mary A. Hermann is an associate professor of Counselor Education at Virginia Commonwealth University. She is the founder and director of the Women's Lifespan Development Research Lab.

Julie Gorlewski

Julie Gorlewski, PhD, is Associate Professor and Chair of the Department of Learning and Instruction at the University at Buffalo, The State University of New York. Current research projects involve transformative teacher education by re-centering funds of knowledge and cultivating professional dispositions with preservice and practicing teachers.

Dana Brookover

Dana Brookover is a doctoral candidate in counselor education and supervision at Virginia Commonwealth University. She was a professional school counselor, and her research interests include equitable college and career readiness, social determinants of health, and gender equity within lifespan development.

Robyn Walsh

Robyn Walsh, PhD, is an Assistant Professor of Counselor Education at Capital University in Columbus, OH, where she oversees the school counseling track.

Lindsay Kozachuk

Lindsay Kozachuk, PhD, is an Assistant Professor of Counseling at Palm Beach University. Her research revolves around examining and uplifting parent wellbeing, especially among families that include a child with a disability.

Michael Deitz

Michael Deitz is a doctoral candidate in Counselor Education and Supervision at Virginia Commonwealth University.

Elizabeth Ciminelli

Elizabeth Ciminelli is a PhD student in the Graduate School of Education at the University at Buffalo. Hey research focuses on adult learning theory, peer-to-peer models, and education in correctional settings.