Kimberly Morrow: Her Child’s Diagnosis, Her Empowerment of Parents

Her son’s tragic diagnosis lead her to major depression and as result, a loss from her administration position in education. This should have knocked her down. It didn’t. Kimberly A. Morrow is known as an accomplished educator and speaker but used her adversity to weave the writing of her book ” 8 Pearls of Wisdom: A Parenting Guide: Empowering Children is the Way to go!”

Morrow shares valuable lessons from her 20-years of teaching, which has resonated with parents and educators. Morrow is a proud alumna of the Los Angeles Unified School District and a graduate of Morris Brown College. She holds a Master’s degree in Teaching and Curriculum from Harvard University Graduate School of Education. She teaches World History for the Apple Valley School District. Morrow’s greatest achievement is being a mom to three amazing young adults: Kamaria, Brandan, and Brian Jr.

Author Kimberly A. Morrow is on a mission to empower parents to
become better advocates for their children. Ms. Morrow shares real-life experiences and inspirational stories of hope, success in the classroom and perhaps most importantly, addresses issues that often affect students. 8 Pearls of Wisdom offers interwoven stories that will certainly inspire innovation, encourage authentic learning and offer practical ways to empower students to pursue their passion. Read her inspiring interview:

What do you see when you look in the mirror?

When I look in the mirror,  I see strong, caring, intelligent African-American woman who still believes in following her dreams.

What do you do for a living? 

I work in the field of education. Currently I teach 10th grade World History, although I previously worked as an administrator for nearly 10 years. In addition,  I am an author, speaker and entrepreneur. 

How do you think self-love plays a role in success?

Without self-love achieving true success is nearly impossible.  Being successful requires a strong belief in one’s self and abilities.   I requires knowing your worth and not allowing anyone else to define you.  That takes self-love and for some women it may take longer to achieve but it is very necessary. 

How do you think we as women, can work together to lift each other?

Being a strong woman among a sea of men while working in administration it was vital to have other strong women in my circle to support, encourage and empower me to continue operating in my gifts.  It is crucial for we as women to support, encourage, empower and inspire one another realize their dreams and live their best life. 

Have you had any adversities that you’ve had to overcome in order to achieve success?

In January of 2017 I received the official diagnosis for my son who has always had learning disabilities which we learned to work through.  However, I was informed he actually has a rare genetic disorder, KDM1A & HUWE1, which causes mental retardation, psychomotor retardation, and Cleft palate. The genes linked to the disorder were just discovered two years before his third genetics testing.  One month later, in February I had a major depressive episode, I was hospitalized and a few weeks later I was informed via mail the Board released me from my administrative position and had reassigned me to a teaching position. All of this took place within the span of six weeks.  I heard my mother’s voice saying, “God doesn’t give you more than you can handle”, which is why I chose to use my adversity as motivation to write my first book, 8 Pearls of Wisdom, A Parenting Guide: Empowering Children is the Way to Go!. It is essentially a roadmap for parents and educators who are raising/working with children who are struggling with school due to a myriad of barriers including but not limited to learning disabilities.  

What has been your greatest accomplishment to date?

My greatest accomplishment to date has been my children. Not in the, “I don’t have my own thing so it’s only my children I have to speak of” kind of way, but in the I have led my life in a way in which my children have actually used me as a role model kind of way. For example, my oldest daughter chose to attend a Historically Black College and U because she witnessed how strong my friendships were, how I carried myself with professionalism and operated in excellence, but most importantly after having attended a California State University, she called me one night and said, “Mom, this is nothing like the stories you my aunties and my dad shared about your college life, I’m ready now to go to an HBCU.” My son, who as I said earlier has special needs, when asked by students he was sharing his story about his first year in college, “what may you decide to go to college?” He replied, I had to go to college. My Mom went to college, my sister went to college of course I was going to college”.  My son’s words validated what I have believed in all along, “do what I say, not what I do” is not effective. What is effective is, “ children will follow your actions if they align to your words”. As a result, my daughter is currently working as an assistant writer for the television show Black Lightning and my son is studying Animal Science and Game Design at Moorpark College. All those years while raising them, I not only inspired them to go to college, but I also inspired them to follow their dreams. 

What inspires you to keep growing?

I am inspired by many things to keep growing:  my enduring love and faith in God; many strong women in history such as Shirley Chisolm, Madame C.J. Walker, Sojourner and Harriet Tubman who persevered despite their enormous obstacles; my mother who is always with me in spirit although she is deceased; my siblings who passed away before they were able to make all of their dreams come true; and last but certainly not least, my children, nieces and nephews whom I will always continue to grow as I know they are watching me.