Barbara Teed

PROFILE: The first “a-ha moment” for Barbara Teed happened just after the Minnesota native turned 50. The moment that her future came into focus occurred as she labored away at her job at the Mall of America. Barbara hoped to do something other than continue working in security. But every position she sought demanded a college degree­­-something she left undone decades before as she married and raised her five children. She decided at age 51 to change her life’s course. She quit her job, obtained financial aid, and enrolled at the local community college. Barbara’s second “a-ha moment” was just as profound. While working on the school newspaper to fulfill a course elective, she realized she loved what she was doing. Just as important, she also realized she was good at it. Barbara found journalism. A web search of her name yields a long list of her articles, including her warm Twin Cities Daily Planet story about her father’s issues embracing technology. Now, Barbara is pursuing a graduate degree in media studies to strengthen her knowledge of the changing world of journalism.

INSPIRATION: In addition to her dad, Barbara is indebted to her advisor from those first days working at The Lions’ Roar student newspaper, as well as a faculty member at the New School. Both instructors (who prefer to remain anonymous) fostered Barbara’s commitment to report the truth, to find balance when preparing stories, and most of all, to have courage when reporting and “believe in what you write.”

ASPIRATION: Barbara seeks a career in investigative journalism. 

MAKING A DIFFERENCE: While working at The Lion’s Roar, Barbara wrote a business story about construction on environmentally sensitive land. As a result of her story, community members organized and saved the land from developers. She also wrote about a soldier returning from Iraq to college life. The story captures the veteran’s struggles to fit in and a lack of support from the college. After the article was published, campus officials and students created a Veteran's Resource Center. “Those two articles remain my most proud achievements because my writing made a difference,” Barbara said.

ACCOLADES: Barbara won the Investigative Reporting award from the Minnesota Newspaper Association’s college division twice. She was also a member of the All-USA Academic First Team and was named a Minnesota New Century Scholar. 

INTERESTING FACT: Barbara covered the 2010 Academy Awards as a member of the press.