Hi, I'm Tess!
I've spent most of my adult life at the intersection of two things I love deeply: understanding how people grow, and helping them do it. My academic pursuits earned me a doctoral degree in developmental psychology and systems science, which is a fancy way of saying I've spent years studying not just how people change, but why — and how every part of a life connects to every other part in ways we're often unaware of.
My doctoral research in coping, motivation and resilience was shaped by the foundational work of my advisor and mentor, Dr. Ellen Skinner, whose pioneering research in perceived control laid the groundwork for what the world now knows as the growth mindset.
After college, I found my way into education research, and my work life has largely been spent studying how people learn, at every stage of development. Service has always been as much a part of my life as scholarship, and as a youth ministry volunteer in my faith community, I've walked many roads and many years alongside young people, supporting them through some of their most formative moments. I also have a heart for the disadvantaged, the marginalized, and those who need a strong advocate. This is the kind of work that teaches you very quickly that transformation is rarely linear, always personal, and almost always requires more courage than it seems when looking in from the outside.
I created Wayfinder PLR because I believe the people doing the work of helping others grow deserve content that's as mindful of their clients' needs as they are, and that gives them the truth of scientific evidence to build on with their own expertise and experience. I'm committed to creating content rooted in real human psychology, written with genuine warmth, and designed to spark real transformative work, not just fill the page with a lot of words.
When I'm not writing content or researching my next project, I'm probably immersed in the writings of Chesterton or C.S. Lewis, steaming mocha in hand, or I might be found sitting on the porch swing with an iced tea, musing about what it means to live a truly intentional life.
Born and raised in the Pacific Northwest, I recently made the cross-country trek to settle in rural Pennsylvania, following my daughter and her husband (they have the grandkids, what else could I do??) Now I live surrounded by cornfields and the beautiful symphony of nature, a special kind of quiet that makes deep thinking possible.
Being grandmother to three remarkable tiny humans is a fantastic adventure that reminds me every single day that growth is not a destination — it's the whole point of the journey. Watching them find their footing, discover their gifts and step fearlessly into their own lives is the best front-row seat I could ever hope for. But I was never built for the sidelines. I'm right in there with them — laughing, learning, playing and teaching — because that's what Wayfinders do. We find our path, then lift the torch to light the way for the ones coming behind us.
That's not just personal development. That's legacy.
Welcome to the journey, fellow Wayfinder — the horizon awaits. Let us go to meet it together!