Being a mother and being a student are two difficult, time consuming and rewarding roles.
Putting both vocations together is a nearly unfathomable challenge, yet Chaney Upton has done so successfully, now nearing her graduation this May.
Chaney, a mom from Aberdeen, Idaho, is completing her degree in agricultural education. With two children at home and working a full-time job as a custodian for UI for most of her college career, she has effectively managed to balance two major roles.
Beginning school at UI in 2001, Upton took small class loads and breaks between semesters. Her husband, George Upton, works the night shift, allowing him time to stay home during the day and for Chaney to attend classes and student-teach.
“I always knew I wanted a degree,” Chaney said. “I wanted to provide a good example for my kids. I wanted more.”
Chaney said being a mother and a student was no easy feat. Some nights, she had to choose between children and homework. In the early stages of her degree, large challenges arose while living in a trailer with functionality issues.
“In the beginning, I was telling myself, ‘How am I going to figure this out?’” Chaney said.
Now student-teaching, Chaney Upton spent the majority of her college career working a full-time job. At the time, she said an average day would consist of waking up at 3:30 a.m., attending classes during her lunch hour, ending her shift at 12:30 p.m. and attending class again. Her 5-year-old son would attend pre-school until 1:00 p.m. and Chaney Upton would pick him up, go home, and do miscellaneous tasks until meal time. Afterward, she spent time relaxing and focusing on homework until George Upton left for work at 11:00 p.m. She would then usually rest for the night. The process would repeat itself before dawn the next morning.
“I’d do that, and then the next day, I’d do it all over again,” Chaney Upton said.
Chaney Upton said she is excited to finish and move on from this stage of her life as she nears her graduation date. George Upton said he is also relieved and ready for their family’s next step in life, though there is uncertainty surrounding future endeavors. There is the looming fear of whether or not this stage of their lives was worth the effort that was put into it.
“It was a gamble, but hopefully it will have been worth it,” George Upton said.
However, Chaney Upton’s positive attitude and unwavering work ethic have pushed her to be able to work through any difficulties that have come her family’s way.
Because of her nontraditional student status and having a family, George Upton said everything is amplified for them. When a child is sick, a parent must care for them. When issues arise in a household, it affects not only the adults of the household, but also the children.
“No matter what is thrown at us, Chaney comes through with a modicum of grace,” George Upton said.
Though her journey has not been easy, Chaney Upton said she learned to get through her degree by finding small accomplishments in everything.
“Look for that light at the end of the tunnel,” Chaney Upton said. “Even if it’s far away, seven years away, it’s there.”
Mary Phipps can be reached at [email protected]