Professor graciously holds doctoral candidate's foster baby during class so she can take notes

Women who are studying while also caring for their children face a number of hurdles that can be difficult to navigate. These challenges can include a lack of support or understanding from family and friends, financial difficulties, limited time and resources and a lack of access to childcare services. In many cases, such obstacles could lead to high levels of stress and anxiety, which can negatively impact both the mother's health and her ability to succeed academically.

Despite these challenges, however, many women continue to persevere and achieve their educational goals, often with the help of supportive networks and resources. A doctoral candidate experienced the same when she did not have access to childcare and had to bring her foster baby to school, reports TODAY.

At the age of 36, Traniece Brown-Warrens has taken on the role of a first-year principal at Markham Elementary School in Portland, Oregon. She aspires to become a superintendent in the future and therefore decided to travel to Waco, Texas, once a month to attend weekend classes at Baylor University.

She said, "When you have a dream, you figure out how to make it work. I'm dedicating my time knowing that this is just for a moment and (it's) one that will change the life for my kid, my family and my students, especially little Black girls who will know they can achieve anything and I am the representation for them."

Brown-Warrens, who became a foster parent to a 7-month-old child nicknamed "Baby Bear" on February 14, faced a childcare predicament when she did not have anyone to look after the infant during her March 18 and March 19 classes, while the child was in daycare on other days. To solve the issue, she contacted her professors and enquired about the possibility of attending classes virtually or taking her baby with her to Texas for the weekend. The professors proved to be extremely cooperative and told her, "Feel free to bring him."

Bay Bear joined his foster mother that weekend and was cooperative as well. Brown-Warrens described his behavior by saying, "He was very inquisitive and didn’t cry. He wanted to be in my arms while I took notes and engaged. I multitasked, like most parents do." However, while attending a course on "School Business Management and Finance," Brown-Warrens found herself in need of someone to look after Baby Bear. The lecturer, Bobby Ott, kindly offered to hold the infant, allowing Brown-Warrens to participate in the course without any hindrance. Furthermore, she was even able to capture a photo of Ott holding the baby.

She shared the picture on Twitter and wrote, "They say 'a picture is worth 1,000 words.' The intent look on baby bear’s face lets you know you enjoyed Dr. Ott's lesson on taxes and account codes. Thank you for holding him so I could take notes [and] work with my partner."

Over the next 30 minutes, Ott graciously held Baby Bear, providing Brown-Warrens with the opportunity to focus on her studies. Moreover, Ott was not the only one who found the infant irresistible and wanted to cuddle him. Many students took turns holding the baby and according to a tweet by Baylor School of Ed, "Assoc. Prof. Dr. Angela Urick also enjoyed some baby time."

Ott said that he did not think twice before helping out as his mother was also a single parent. He said, "Traniece is a dynamic and authentic person, and when you see someone with that level of commitment you want to help facilitate that. The baby was the youngest doctoral student I've ever had in my class." According to Brown-Warrens, she is similar to other mothers who strive to strike a balance between their professional responsibilities and their duties as parents. 

She said, "I have a platform to share that leadership can look different and so can motherhood. Foster parents can also pursue their dreams. My mother gave birth to me at 17 and dropped out of school and because of her sacrifice, I have a strong foundation (to help) kids." She hopes to inspire her child saying that when he looks back, he will know that his mom can do anything.