I'm currently part-way through a part-time MA in Childhood and Youth with the Open University. This will take three years in total (the recommended pace is 16 hours a week). The course is interdisciplinary and explores policy and practice in services for children and young people. I enrolled on the course after we moved back to the UK from overseas at the end of a teaching contract. I didn't feel ready to be back in the classroom, but I wanted to continue my professional development: to keep my brain firing on all cylinders whilst I immersed myself in the work of being a mum. It has always been a personal goal to work towards an MA, but it took time to find a course that really suited my interests and seemed worth the financial sacrifices.
When
I began, my daughter was eight months old. My husband was working full-time but we
lucky to have the support of both sets of grandparents and, at one year old, some
time at a local nursery. One term later I also felt able to take on a part-time
teaching post alongside the study and mum-time. In lots of ways it was the
perfect balance for me: I benefited hugely from the flexibility of home study
during my second pregnancy but, being a compartmentaliser, I struggled to fit
study around newborn nap-times and toddler exuberance after the birth. The
wonderful, flexible Open University were able to grant me a postponement and, now that my
son is five months old I am thoroughly enjoying engaging with my studies again,
with the continuing support of my tutor.
When
my husband and I first had The Conversation (who would take what amount of
leave) we were surprised to find that the traditional two-week paternity/long
maternity leave model seemed the best fit for us. He was incredibly supportive
of my MA and career development plans, despite the huge dip in household income it
would entail: I fully appreciate that this is not an option available to
everyone. For these 'baby years' he feels strongly that his priority is family:
he wants to be able to come home for dinner, bath and bedtime each night
without bringing work with him. Ironically, during the last few years he has
been promoted twice while I am back on the lowest rungs of the pay scale with
no leadership responsibilities. Research into the 'fatherhood bonus' versus the
'motherhood penalty' in the workplace certainly mirrors our experiences so far.
So
what do I hope to get out of it? As well as reigniting my passion for education
the course has opened my eyes regarding government policy and the importance of
integration between services for children and young people. There is a strong
emphasis on reflection on personal practice: the things I am learning can and
have been immediately applied in the classroom and staffroom. It also promotes
the view of teachers as active researchers, encouraging me to explore my potential
impact on the profession and the wider field of children's services. I haven't
enjoyed the temporary loss of income but I believe there will be a longer term
benefit on the trajectory of my career, in terms of both financial and personal
development.
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