Teresa Hawes grew up on a dairy farm in rural New York State, and has retained a love of the outdoors. She went to high school in southern Pennsylvania and attended college and graduate school in Michigan, earning a BA in English and French, and an MA in English. She then spent 25 years in France, teaching English and Religion, and completing doctoral studies in French before returning to the States via 9 months in the Philippines. Certified as a K-12 French teacher in Vermont, Dr. Hawes has taught French and Religion here for a total of fifteen years, as well as serving as Director of Religious Education at Saint Monica Parish in Barre for three years. She also works with Franciscan University of Steubenville as an online mentor for the Catechetical Institute and facilitates retreats and gives workshops on prayer in the Carmelite tradition. Alba House and Our Sunday Visitor have published her translations. Hiking, singing, reading and gardening are hobbies she enjoys.