Becoming Academics and Mothers

Abstract

Through a chronological exploration beginning with their experiences as energetic and passionate K-12 classroom teachers and ending with their procurement of tenure-track positions, the authors share stories from their journeys of transitioning into both academia and motherhood simultaneously. These stories are part motherhood, part doctoral student—juxtaposing the competing demands of an aspiring scholar alongside the realities of being a new mother. The stories touch on topics such as inspiration for leaving K-12, work-life balance, pregnancy, breastfeeding, childcare, and self-care in the context of navigating teaching in higher education, building professional relationships, writing a dissertation, and searching for a tenure-track position. The chapter concludes with a series of takeaways that were illuminated for the authors through their own reflections of these experiences, and that, ultimately, helped them feel empowered in their roles as both academics and mothers.