Teaching Through Trials: A Scholarly Personal Narrative Exploring an Associate Professor’s Journey with Stage 3 Breast Cancer

• In Event: AERA Roundtable Session Friday 9:50 am Four Seasons Ballroom 2-3
  In Roundtable Session: Personal Narratives and Identity in Education (Table 5)

Abstract

This Scholarly Personal Narrative (SPN) explores the journey of an associate professor navigating the challenges of Stage 3 breast cancer while maintaining an academic career. It highlights the complexities women in academia face, balancing professional demands and chronic illness, and underscores the importance of institutional support. Using the SPN methodology, it interweaves personal experiences with theoretical insights, emphasizing resilience, gratitude, and the need for comprehensive support systems. The narrative also connects these personal struggles to broader themes in education research, advocating for inclusive policies and holistic approaches to remedy and repair within academic and societal contexts.

Author

• Suzanne L. Porath, Kansas State University