Tess Barnes Dunn was born in Arkansas and spent her childhood throughout the southern United States. Tess holds a Bachelors of Arts magna cum laude in History and Classical Studies from Texas Christian University in Fort Worth, Texas, a Masters of Arts cum laude in Roman Archaeology from Nottingham University in England, as well as four years as a Doctoral Candidate in Archaeology Studies at Oxford University. As an academician, Tess has held research posts at Nottingham University, Oxford University, and the Smithsonian Institute. As an archaeologist, she has traveled, lived and worked throughout the Mediterranean, North Africa, and the Middle East – especially in the North African country of Tunisia. Upon her return to the United States in the Autumn of 2001, Tess embarked upon a career in secondary education and leadership in premiere private schools – and has loved every minute of it! She is delighted to serve the students and families of the Franklin School of Innovation in order to teach American History and AP Research. In her leisure time, Tess enjoys hanging out with her son and husband – as well as her dogs, Bobby and Lyndon, who are both lovable and brainless. In her leisure time, Tess enjoys cycling as much as possible and has remained an avid student of history as a graduate student with Harvard University.