The canary's perspective: a scholarly personal narrative on pursuing graduate education as a Black woman

Abstract

[EMBARGOED UNTIL 8/1/2023] A Scholarly Personal Narrative was completed to share critical experiences that shaped my pursuit of a doctorate in School Psychology. Retellings and reflections are provided with the goal of showcasing the barriers that exist within systems beyond those which are more readily viewed as flawed. Critical Race Theory was used as the theoretical framework for the current project to assist in conceptualizing the impact of my identity as a Black woman. To support trust in the current work, peer debriefing sessions were held. Serving as sources to challenge my perspectives and as additional sources of truth, eight peer debriefers participated in interviews. Braun and Clarke's (2006) phases of thematic analysis were utilized as a guideline for analysis that resulted in three themes from which broader implications are drawn.