![Balancing the challenging roles of academics, mothers, and wives, Dr Kitchen has emerged not only with a PhD in hand but with a research project that holds real promise for addressing South Africa’s literacy crisis [PHOTO CREDIT: Siqhamo Jama]](/media/rhodesuniversity/content/communicationsmarketing/images/Tracy_Kitchen.jpg)
By: Siqhamo Jama
Dr Tracy Kitchen’s doctoral journey is a testament to resilience, adaptability, and a deep commitment to equality and equity in education. Balancing the challenging roles of academics, mothers, and wives, she has emerged not only with a PhD in hand but with a research project that holds real promise for addressing South Africa’s literacy crisis.
Her journey began in 2016 and initially focused on language use in restorative justice within schools. Dr Kitchen faced a significant setback when her research site became unviable after three years of dedicated work, forcing her to abandon her original topic. Rather than give up, she bravely decided to resume her PhD in 2019, focusing on a national educational emergency: reading comprehension at the Grade 4 level.
“I’m very passionate about using research to drive social reform and justice,” she explained. “My work is action-driven – it’s about helping teachers and learners in a practical, sustainable way.”
Dr Kitchen’s thesis recommends targeted workshops for educators to support improved reading comprehension outcomes in primary school learners, particularly in Grade 4, a critical stage for children to transition from “learning to read” to “reading to learn.” In a country where many learners fall behind at this stage, her work offers an academically strong and socially urgent intervention framework.
The road to completion was anything but straightforward. The onset of the COVID-19 pandemic caused significant delays, including a long wait for ethical approval. At the same time, Dr Kitchen navigated pregnancy and the birth of her first child. She began data collection while expecting, conducting six months of classroom observation just as schools were adjusting to rotational learning.
“I faced numerous challenges,” she recalled. “Restarting my topic, managing a full teaching load, and becoming a mother tested my perseverance. But I had strong support from my supervisor, colleagues, and most importantly, my family. I leaned on them, and that made all the difference.”
Despite these challenges, Dr Kitchen completed her thesis in October 2024. The work has been widely praised by examiners, who described it as “methodologically innovative,” “rare yet crucial,” and “remarkably creative,” praising her commitment to tackling one of the most pressing educational issues of our time.
Her advice to students is rooted in her experience: “You must keep going. Know what you want and persevere. For postgraduates especially, find your people – your village. Your thesis is your own but also a product of collaboration and community. Lean on those around you, and you’ll go further.”
Now a PhD graduate, Dr Kitchen continues her role as a lecturer and remains dedicated to advancing literacy and learner success. With the prestigious title of Doctor comes academic recognition and the validation of years of hard work, sacrifice, and vision. Her journey serves as an inspiration to all who face setbacks in the pursuit of their goals and all mothers alike.