How Identity Has Influenced a Teacher's Career at a Public High School
Becoming a parent significantly shifted Vanessa's career priorities, emphasizing work-life balance and creating a "really safe space" in the classroom. This experience led to a reevaluation of career aspirations, choosing the present impact of daily teaching over immediate advancement to administration, prioritizing time with their children while maintaining the option for future leadership roles.
Work-Life Balance, Classroom Management, Teacher Well-being, Career Choices, Parenting in the Workplace
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
Vanessa Bobbitt
Teacher
Public High School
St. Mary’s College of California
Eastern Kentucky University, Educational Leadership
Psychology
Education
Education
Honors Student, Scholarship Recipient, Took Out Loans, First Generation College Student
Video Highlights
1. Work-life balance is a significant focus for Vanessa, especially since becoming a parent.
2. Creating a safe classroom environment is a priority for Vanessa, extending to students and colleagues alike.
3. Vanessa's parental role has influenced her career path decisions, prioritizing daily classroom impact over immediate administrative advancement.
Transcript
As someone who identifies as a parent, how has that impacted how you navigate your career?
Since becoming a parent, work-life balance has become a much stronger focus for me. It's also changed the way I run my classroom.
I make sure my classroom is a really safe space, for me, my students, and my colleagues. Before I was a parent, I used to say I would never teach at a school where I wouldn't send my children. Now that I actually have children who sometimes come to school with me, I live that reality in a whole new way. I try to walk the walk.
I also make different decisions as a parent than I did before. I assumed at this point in my career that I would be in admin or leadership. I realize now that I'm never going to get this time back with the tiny humans I get to raise. My impact in the classroom every day with kids is really powerful.
I have my administrative credential if I want to be a principal someday; it's waiting for me. But I don't have to do all of that right now. I can just enjoy where I am, and that's more than okay. It's a pretty wonderful place to be.
Advizer Personal Links
No