Graphic by Ellie Gottesman

As Mother’s Day rolls around each year, the world shifts its focus to their mother figures. Many female staff members at MIHS are also moms, and must find a balance between being a mother and teaching.

“When I had my first child, there were no laws in place and I had to pump [breast milk] in a closet with no lock on it,” French teacher Deana Wiatr said. “It is still a struggle to balance being a full-time mom and working so much.”

“When I get out of class, I have to pick up my kids, get them to their activities, make dinner, help with homework, play with them, read to them, get them to bed and maybe get 10 minutes to myself before nodding off.”

It has been particularly hard for Spanish teacher Kyla Trujillo to maintain her work-life balance this year thanks to an upcoming addition to her family.

“It is a big change and there is a lot to do, but I would say all the preparations are worth it because I am so excited for my baby to come,” Trujillo said.

Because of the tough work, many teachers decide to work part-time or cut down on their commitments.

“I went to part-time so I could get home earlier in the afternoon,” math teacher Kate Yoder said.

While these mothers learn to balance teaching and parenting, it is still hard to balance their hours at home and their hours at school while also spending time with their kids.

“There’s guilt that you’re not doing a good enough job as a teacher and there’s guilt that you’re not doing a good enough job as a parent,” Yoder said.

Teacher parents not only have to raise their own kids, but must also help their students grow and learn. Though teaching while parenting is tough, these teachers love it.

“Kids are a blessing, but juggling a career and a family is probably the hardest thing I’ve ever had to do,” Wiatr said.