Date of Award

Summer 2022

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Education (EdD)

College

College of Education

Department

Department of Education

Primary Advisor

Dr. Patty LeBlanc

Second Advisor

Dr. Janet Deck

Third Advisor

Dr. Doug Stump

Abstract

The purpose of this research study was to examine the personal and professional factors that support female educators while raising young children. This study was designed as a bounded case study that included six women who taught in a Christian school while they were raising children. Their interview data revealed three major themes: conflict, personal supports, and professional supports. Participants reported conflicts such as conflicting obligations between their teacher and maternal roles, expectations, and priorities. Key supports helped to resolve or avoid these conflicts. Personal factors such as supportive and extended family members assisted teachers as they balanced the responsibilities of the dual maternal and teacher role. Additional personal factors in the workplace included the teachers’ strategic organizational systems, planning, and reliable childcare arrangements. The teachers in this study had a strong sense of their personal identities and calling as teachers and parents, which helped them to persevere through challenges. Professional supports included supportive leadership, part-time work opportunities, professional development, and relationships within the institution. The results of this study suggest that certain factors can support teachers who are parents in their personal lives and in the workplace to reduce conflicts and dissonance identified in the literature and in this study.

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