Dr. Tyrone Michael Bates, Jr. is From Kansas City, Kansas by way of Chicago, Illinois. Tyrone is a 1996 graduate of Wyandotte High School. He attended Northwest Missouri State University while on a full-ride Cross Country & Track & Field Scholarship. Tyrone is a 2004 graduate of Northwest Missouri State University where he received a Bachelor of Science in Biology and a minor in chemistry as well as his Educational Specialist Degree. He also holds a Master of Science in Curriculum and Instruction from Pittsburgh State University. Tyrone earned his Educational Doctorate from the University of Missouri, Columbia in 2012. Tyrone has received several honors and awards including Who’s Who Among American College and University students & teachers, the KCTF (Kansas City Teaching Fellows) Outstanding Teacher of the Year spotlight. He was inducted into the Phi Delta Kappa National Academic Honorary Society in 2004, Kansas City Kansas Community College’s “2007 Man of Excellence Award” for community and educational activism, and the Friends of Yates Center Black Man of the Year Award in 2009. Tyrone taught biology and chemistry for four years at his Alma Mater, Wyandotte High School, in Kansas City, KS; Two years as an Academic Coach with the Kauffman Scholars Program, ten years as an administrator with KCKPS from central office to building level leadership. He currently serves Shawnee Mission School District as the Coordinator of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. Tyrone is married to his wife of 19 years, LaJasmia (Jazzee), a Registered Nurse in the state of Kansas, and they share five beautiful children, La’shana, Tyrone III, Tamar, Trinity, and Tamia. Tyrone believes that “all things” require respect and honor, because of the God that dwells within them.
