While it’s inconvenient when childcare arrangements go through, for many parents in college, skipping examinations and lectures can have a negative impact on GPA. That’s why, when a struggling mother brought her infant to class, a college professor stepped in to assist her. Katy Humphrey, 33, is a wife and mother who is studying exercise physiology at Baylor University. She had no choice but to bring her 4-month-old Millie to class earlier this month after her sitter had to cancel at the last minute.
Millie began to fuss and become agitated, as do all infants. Professor Darryn Willoughby took over without hesitation and held Millie for the remainder of his 55-minute presentation.
Humphrey explained to Today that this is her second course with Willoughby:
“[Millie] would constantly kick when she heard him speak, so we joked that she either liked him a lot or didn’t like him at all.” Dr. Willoughby said it was fine if I needed to bring her to class, so I was happy to know I’d be able to learn while also caring for my baby.”
While this is admirable and generous conduct, Willoughby dismisses it as “all in a day’s work” for a dedicated teacher: “It’s all in a day’s work for a dedicated teacher.”
“It wasn’t something I did for me.” It’s just a matter of my keeping an eye on and caring for my students. It was more of a matter of her being able to feel more at ease and calm in class… I carried her [Millie] for about an hour and she seemed very comfortable. Throughout the entire session, we never heard a peep from her.”
Humphrey aspires to be a physical therapist who specializes in treating wounded soldiers. She was encouraged to pursue this route after serving 14 years in the Marine Corps as a Pashto linguist and signals analyst. Professors like Willoughby, fortunately, are assisting her in realizing her dream.