Trust and Transparency

“There is a special level of comfort and communication that happens between educators of color and students of color, and I have been privileged to experience that in every single space of my career.” Ms. Tymia MorganELA / IB Teacher, Teacher Mentor“I'm proud of the way that I've been able to show up and be authentic and genuine in front of my students.”Tymia Morgan brings 20 years of lived experience to the classroom as an IB English teacher, department lead, and mentor in Kansas City, Missouri. Raised in a family of educators (#shoutout to her mom’s 42-year career in education), Tymia’s path was shaped by strong Black teachers and a deep belief in representation. She shares how Black educators create spaces of trust, cultural understanding, and guidance that extend far beyond academics, helping students feel seen, safe, and capable.“I really am excited for the community to really own education again, to make it more than just a school thing, to make it a home thing, to make it a church thing, to make it a community center thing.”During our conversation, Tymia reflects on the realities of burnout, protecting one’s peace, and navigating systems that don’t always value Black women’s labor. She offers powerful stories of student joy, honest insights on mentoring with respect and transparency, and a vision for education rooted in community. Grounded in love, authenticity, and care, Tymia’s legacy is a reminder that showing up fully, with heart and honesty, is transformative for students and educators alike.