I teach English Composition and ESL to adult learners in the college setting. I completed my undergraduate degree in English and French from Brigham Young University and my Master’s degree at Columbia University in TESOL. In addition to blogging, I enjoy theater, film, good food (making it or eating out), swimming, wake boarding, playing outside in general, reading and being read to. I grew up in a suburb of Toronto, Ontario and am the second of four children.

Prior to joining the LDS faith, I occasionally attended Catholic mass with my Polish grandparents. As a child I was enrolled in an Anglican school where I took Religious Knowledge classes and studied from the Bible. I was introduced to the LDS church by my mother (who decided to start attending church again after having left it as a teenager) and was subsequently taught the discussions by two devoted sister missionaries. I was baptized one month before my 13th birthday.

My faith has been shaped by the experience of growing up in a home with a religious mother and a non-religious father. While my parents have different perspectives on life and our purpose on the earth, their marriage has been the example, the standard that I look to model all my personal relationships after. My testimony of the centrality of Christ-like love in the plan of salvation has been fortified by my home life. And I am grateful to have grown up in a home that fostered and respected diversity in belief, thought and practice.

I am honored to have the opportunity to discuss gospel topics in this setting and welcome your comments, thoughts and feedback. You may contact me at: tessprior at watersofmoron.org.