Today we’d like to introduce you to Moriah Georges.
Hi Moriah, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
Although I was born in Brooklyn, and I lived in quite a few places in between, I have come to embrace Richardson as my home. I am a teacher, writer, and facilitator. I teach in my own neighborhood intentionally—because for me, education goes beyond the classroom. I believe that what we do together as a community—whether it’s learning, celebrating, or simply showing up for one another—matters just as much as the lessons taught inside the four walls of our classroom. Being part of my students’ lives outside of school deepens the connections we share inside of it, and I believe in the value of that impact.
My story really began with a love of stories. I’ve always been drawn to words—reading, writing, singing, and the spaces where bridges form and divides dissolve. I’m also a naturally curious person – especially about people and their stories. That passion led me to a number of endeavors, including teaching, where I get to bring literature to life for my students and connect it to bigger themes like history, community, and identity. My parents are also educators, so I suppose it’s in my blood.
Although I have not made a career of it yet, I have also invested time in writing. I earned an MFA in Creative Writing, and I’m working on a few writing projects that I hope to see published someday. As an educator and a writer, I enjoy leading creative gatherings that bring people together around poetry and storytelling. Currently, I facilitate a monthly poetry workshop and a monthly poetry book club meeting at Bibliobar (a bookstore) in Plano, and I’m preparing to launch a monthly writing gathering at 1418 Coffee in Garland. I’m excited to see the local writing community emerge and grow.
When I’m not teaching or writing, I lean into the things that fill me up: time with family and friends, music, reading, and hands-on creative projects. I especially love curating experiences that weave creativity and fellowship together—whether it’s in the classroom, in a neighborhood space, or around a table full of friends. I am passionate about facilitating meaningful creative experiences and cultivating community. I want to keep showing up—with words, creativity, and care for the community I love.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Given many challenges along the way, I took the scenic route to get to where I am today, and patience along the way is its own kind of challenge as well. Some stories are not mine alone to tell, but I can tell you this – nothing has come easily, and I have worked very hard – that’s what I do. In the last couple of years, I gave up a lot of sleep and time with loved ones to accomplish my goals. If I had the chance to do that differently, I would slow down and sacrifice less of what ultimately matters more.
Pursuing my MFA during my first few years of teaching was one of my biggest challenges – it was absolutely insane, and while I’m grateful for the opportunity I had, the positive experiences that came with it, and the body of work that it produced, I absolutely do not recommend it. For those who are interested, if you can afford to take a year or two off and focus solely on your studies, definitely do that; and if not, wait a few years before getting started and go part-time.
Part of my challenge now is that work-life balance is still difficult to achieve, especially as stressors and demands on teachers increase on an annual and even daily basis. I love the teaching part of teaching, but there is so much more to what is required of teachers than actually teaching. State laws and many school policies afford very little consideration for the rights and well-being of teachers. In fact, I can think of very few professions that afford professionals so little agency and compensation while requiring so much overtime and stress. I am grateful for the opportunity to teach, and I do love it, but it is incredibly hard, especially right now.
Despite those challenges, I have my heart set on continuing to make a difference in the education and in the lives of our students. I am also committed to finding time to facilitate meaningful creative experiences and cultivate community.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
By day, I’m a fifth-grade reading teacher. My teaching superpowers include fostering a strong and positive classroom culture, creating engaging learning experiences that form core memories, and helping students grow both academically and personally.
By night (or on weekends), I’m a writer and facilitator. I also founded Inkling Ren, a faith-based literary magazine that presently features my own content and is currently seeking like-minded writers and readers. One of my proudest endeavors to date has been facilitating community writing through my monthly poetry workshop. This free event invites people of all ages and stages to lean into their wonder and creative voice in an accessible and encouraging safe space. It has been so cool to see all the different kinds of people who walk into these workshops, from long-time poetry lovers to first-time poetry writers. Writing is so personal, and I have managed to create a space where strangers feel comfortable enough to take a risk and be vulnerable with one another. Sometimes that looks like sharing a first draft of a form of writing you haven’t tried before or wrote in a limited time. Sometimes that means saying something hard out loud – something you haven’t said out loud before. People have shared (and shared beautifully) about their lowest lows, their regrets, and even their recent and profound losses. Many leave a little lighter than they came. We also share plenty of laughter and delight. I think some of that is just the nature of writing, which is why I love it so much. I also think that God wired me to help others this way, and I believe that’s what sets me apart.
Before we let you go, we’ve got to ask if you have any advice for those who are just starting out?
Honestly, I’m still starting, so I don’t know if I feel qualified to offer any advice yet, but I suppose I can strongly recommend that you recognize the members of your support system – celebrate them, thank them, and listen to their wise counsel. None of my best efforts have succeeded without the help of my support system.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://inklingren.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/moriahwithano/
- Other: https://www.moriahwithano.com/
