About Me

Tonya Blue- Shelby is a Creator. She manifests her talents by writing books of reflection and healing and by creating visual representation of those stories in her collage artwork. She holds a bachelor’s degree in English from Morgan State University and a master’s degree in Secondary Education from Towson University. 

After too many " Blue Monday's" I quit teaching 8th graders and reoriented my skills to preparing future teachers. My objective is simple- Reestablish the principle of Entrusting and Empowering our teachers  and the children we serve." 

Tonya's work is an example of interdependence using mixed media collaging and storytelling.  Her pieces are an exploration of self-reflection, relationships, teacher trauma, images, words, but most of all reconciliation.  These characteristics emphasize the importance of connecting, belonging, and accepting black women fully in the educational field.  Her hybrid contemporary approach of cut and torn paper from magazines illustrates the experience of restored women. It allows the voiceless to tell the stories they'd rather hide. 

 Tonya hosts the Mastering the Art of Teaching Wellness Retreat and facilitates custom Artistic Professional Learning Experiences. Her desire to help the whole woman led her to create Inside Ella’s Closet, a nonprofit organization that collects and distributes professional attire for college students and women in transition.  

Tonya is the author of two novels "I am the Children I Teach" and "My Life Is 

Not My Sermon."  She wrote and starred in the one woman show “I AM."

based on the characters "I am the Children I Teach. The anticipated third novel, "Unraveling the Knot" is due for release in 2024. Tonya is an avid traveler, reader, theater goer, and teapot collector. She lives with her husband Paul in Maryland.