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Elevating the Voices of Educator Mothers: A Qualitative Study of the Family and Work Lives of Women with Children in PK-12 Education
Supple, Alexandria
Supple, Alexandria
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Abstract
This research study utilized a qualitative interpretivist approach to seek out greater understanding of the experiences of educator mothers in public, PK-12 education as they are “making it work” managing family and professional life. The study explored the feedback that these women might have regarding supports they did receive, did not receive, or could still receive from districts. Ten semi-structured interviews were conducted to generate data to address research questions.Results from this study emerged in seven prominent thematic areas which, in combination, addressed the study’s research questions: experiences in overlapping roles, increased empathy for parents and students, difficulties in navigating leave and leave policy, concerns regarding finances and docked pay, the significance of professional support, positive and negatives of breastfeeding in the workplace, and factors that have encouraged or would encourage their retention. Based on these findings, the following eight recommendations were made: districts should create space for children in the workplace when appropriate; districts should recognize the value that educator mothers bring to their role in schools and view that value as an asset that should be actively retained whenever possible; districts should be attentive to strong emotions and their catalysts among staff; districts should consider progressive, competitive parental leave ideas; districts should address breastfeeding policy and support; districts should evaluate and expand procedures/positions involving parental leave/return to work; districts should improve accessibility to information and supports related to the parenthood transition; and, districts should consider adjustments in leadership training and recruitment.
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Date
2023-01-01
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Publisher
University of Kansas
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Archive Status
This item contains archived web content.
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1040254_1.pdf
Adobe PDF, 883.02 KB
- Embargoed until 2173-05-31
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Keywords
Education policy, Education, Gender studies, Education, Mothers, Retention, Teachers