Teresa does her best work when the goal of her project is to improve conditions in a community or in the lives of individuals. "Any writing that I do is a spiritual endeavor," she says. "I want to use my abilities to give a voice to those who aren't usually heard, or to raise awareness of a problem that needs to be solved." 

Neighborhoods USA praised the "Neighbors" publication for "Making a significant and positive impact on neighborhoods and neighborhood people." 

The Wisconsin Association of School Boards recognized Teresa for a series of articles that informed the public of the need for a larger high school, helping to pave the way to community vote that was successful in raising funding for the project.

The University of Wisconsin-LaCrosse honored her work on a radio program that included an interview of a rape victim and increased awareness of the problem on campus.

Honors & awards

2008 - Neighbors magazine (Editor): "Neighbors" - 2008 winner of the NUSA Notables Award, “for outstanding contributions and efforts in building the neighborhood movement in (the) community," by the national organization, Neighborhoods USA

2006 - Dane County Kids magazine (Editor), third place, "Most Improved," Parenting Publications of America

2001 - Bronze Quill Award, Energy Center of Wisconsin Publications Department, International Association of Business Communicators

1992 - Media Award, second place and third place, Wisconsin Association of School Boards

1992 - Local column - humor, Wisconsin Better Newspapers Contest

1991, 1992, 1993 - Stateline Reader's Choice Award, Beloit Daily News

1986 - Graduated from the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse with special recognition for achievements in Mass Communications