At the time she began her research, schools and districts were in the middle of the No Child Left Behind (NCLB) era (under Title 1 of the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001). School and districts across the nation were being judged as high performing or failing based on student performance levels in reading and math. In her review of problem-solving change models, she discovered the work of David Cooperrider’s 1986 research with a doctor’s clinic in Cleveland, OH, where the traditional problem-solving method had been dropped for a more participative, generative, and inclusive approach known as appreciative inquiry.

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            Since then, she has applied the appreciative inquiry method as the change model for solving problems of practice in education. She helps teachers, administrators, schools, and districts discover a more appreciative way of approaching problems with a positive mindset that accelerates and sustain their growth efforts. She has used the appreciative inquiry approach with K-12 teacher curriculum committees in establishing course standards, curriculum and assessment alignment, and textbook adoptions; with strategic planning efforts at the district level; helping a high school turn around the school’s reputation; and helping teacher teams/PLCs learn to be more productive. Her appreciative inquiry work has taken her internationally and nationally, working with non-profit entities and public and private schools/districts.

            A graduate of the University of Kansas, she moved to Wichita, KS and taught middle school math and English for 11 years. She continued her education, completing a Master’s degree in Educational Administration and Supervision (1988) and a Doctorate degree in Educational Leadership (2008) from Wichita State University. She concluded her 35-year career as a practitioner (teacher, elementary building administrator, and district level assistant superintendent) in 2014. She continues to teach online courses at the graduate level, modeling and applying appreciative inquiry with students or when volunteering in the community.

            Teresa and her husband, Lazaro (a retired, career educator and coach, as well), live in “la casita de la playa” 400 feet from the beach in Florida – a dream that became their reality in 2017! They enjoy sunrises, surf fishing, and traveling, which includes a loop throughout the Midwest visiting their three adult children and families!