For nearly three decades, Dr. Davis has navigated systems of inequalities in her roles as a Teacher, Instructional Coach, Associate Professor, and Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum. She received her Ph. D. at Kansas State University and founded Teachers Like Me in 2020 with the support of her husband Edward Davis and children Jade and Noah.Â
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Teachers Like Me (TLM) is a Kansas City–based nonprofit dedicated to recruiting, developing, and retaining Black teachers in public education in the Kansas City area
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The organization exists to increase the number of quality Black teachers in public education by removing barriers to entry and surrounding educators with the practical, professional, financial, and community support needed to thrive.
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Teachers Like Me is an organization dedicated to recruiting, developing, and retaining Black teachers in Kansas City. The mission of Dr. Davis is to increase the number of quality Black teachers in public education.
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TLM’s theory of change is straightforward: remove practical barriers, strengthen teaching practice, build cultural and professional belonging, and improve educators’ financial stability. Supported teachers are then better positioned to remain in schools and create classrooms where students feel seen, challenged, and supported.
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Mission:
To recruit, develop, and retain quality Black educators in public education.
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Vision:
To increase the number of Black teachers by removing barriers to entry and providing the support educators need to respond effectively to the academic and social-emotional needs of all students, especially students of color.
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About
RECRUITMENT
Teachers Like Me is focused on two groups of people: college of education graduates from partner universities and high school students to receive a bachelor's degree in education.
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Incentives to recruit the teachers include signing bonuses, relocation fees, affordable housing, and scholarships.
DEVELOPMENT
Teachers Like Me is focused on developing a strong instructional pedagogy with a culturally responsive lens.
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Teachers will be provided additional professional develop by Teachers Like Me to improve instructional practices.Â
RETENTION
Teachers remaining in their school and/or district will receive a retention bonus each year.Â
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It's not enough to just be able to recruit and develop great teachers if we don't invest in filling the needs of those teachers and making sure that we retain them in our schools.
What we do
Students and Communities
The ultimate beneficiaries are Kansas City students—especially students of color—and the neighborhoods strengthened by excellent, committed teachers.
Kansas City Schools
Teachers Like Me partners with local schools and districts to recruit, prepare, place, and retain talented educators who reflect their students.
Teachers Relocating to Kansas City
Educators recruited from outside the region can access affordable housing and relocation support as they establish careers in Kansas City.
New Black Teachers
Early-career Black educators receive job-placement assistance, instructional coaching, professional development, and a supportive peer community.
Aspiring Educators
High school and college students pursuing education careers receive scholarships, tutoring, mentorship, and support on the path to certification.
WHo WE SERVE
Representation with instructional rigor.
The model centers Black teacher representation while also emphasizing data, pedagogy, coaching, assessment, and classroom effectiveness.
WHY WE ARE DIFFERENT
Community as retention infrastructure.
Cohorts, mentors, peer gatherings, city orientation, and neighborhood-based housing reduce professional and social isolation.
A three-year promise.
Candidates commit to teaching for three years, while TLM commits to sustained support rather than a short onboarding intervention.
Whole-person support
TLM treats certification, instruction, housing, finances, relationships, and belonging as connected conditions for teacher success.
Expanding Regional Impact
Teachers Like Me reached its sixth teacher cohort and began operating at full capacity. A $225,000 investment from BLAQUE Kansas City is helping the organization expand its work across the Kansas City metropolitan area. BLAQUE Kansas City
2026–Present
Creating Pathways to Homeownership
2023–Present
Teachers Like Me completed its first affordable teacher residence in 2023. The organization’s first three cohorts have since graduated, and three participating teachers have purchased homes and made Kansas City their home. Teachers Like Me housing program, IFF interview
Growing Teacher Representation
Teachers Like Me helped bring more than 50 new teachers of color to the Kansas City area, contributing to a one-percentage-point increase in Black teachers living and working in the district. National Center on Safe Supportive Learning Environments
2023
Results that matter
Nominations
Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation
$13 Million Teach KC Investment · 2026
Teachers Like Me is one of eight partners in the Teach KC Collaborative, a regional initiative awarded $13 million to recruit, prepare, place, and retain 1,500 new teachers across the Kansas City metropolitan area over the next decade. BLAQUE Kansas City announcement
The Kelly Clarkson Show
Good Neighbor of the Year Finalist · 2024
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Teachers Like Me and founder Dr. Trinity Davis were recognized nationally for strengthening Kansas City through teacher recruitment, development, and housing. The appearance also generated $20,000 in support from the show and Scholastic. The Kelly Clarkson Show, KMBC 9
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AIA Kansas City
Concept Honor Award · 2024
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Teachers Like Me’s teacher-housing prototype, designed with Lamar Johnson Collaborative, received an Honor Award for its community-centered approach to affordable educator housing. AIA Kansas City
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Mid-America Economic Development Council
Overcoming Adversity Award · 2024
The teacher-housing initiative was recognized in the Large Division category for creating sustainable housing while investing in Kansas City’s historically underserved East Side. Lamar Johnson Collaborative
American Association for Employment in Education
AAEE Star Award · 2023
Teachers Like Me’s Jorge Fuller received the AAEE Star Award for exemplary service and contributions to educator recruitment and employment. AAEE award recipients