Rising Stars: Meet Teresa Morales

Today we’d like to introduce you to Teresa Morales.

Hi Teresa, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
It’s such an honor to share my story with you! I am a Phoenix native and ever since I was a little girl, I had big ambitions. I remember wanting to become either a teacher, veterinarian, or author when I grew up. As a graduate of Cesar Chavez High School in Laveen, Arizona, I remember we had to compile a portfolio board for our senior project with some of our schoolwork along with our plans for the future. On it I included photos of my high school years, papers I had done well on, and I even created a mock book with my picture on the back as if I was going to become an author because that’s what I aspired to be. I received a scholarship to the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism at Arizona State University, so my plans were to continue down the writing path. However, I decided to change my major and graduated from ASU in December 2012 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Education. I have been a 2nd grade teacher for the last nine years and I’ve loved being a puzzle piece in a child’s life to help them succeed and to remind them that all things are possible.

Not only am I a teacher, but I am a wife and a mom to three fun-loving little boys. Building a family of my own was always very important to me and our boys inspire me every day. In August of 2018, my husband and I attended a Tejano music convention and when we came home, I began to really see how interested our boys were in the music. Music has always been a large part of my life since I was little and to see them enjoy it just as much got me thinking. Growing up and even as a teacher in the classroom, I would rarely see children’s books that were about my Mexican American culture. Not only were there not books about our culture out there, but I hadn’t seen a book focusing on Tejano music or the instruments bands play. Seeing my boys dance and enjoy it just as much as my husband and I did, helped revive my creativity and led me to write. By February 2019, I completed my first children’s book, “Papito and The Squeezebox.” After doing a lot of research, I made the decision to self-publish and found a business partner who helped guide me through some of the process. In March of 2020, my book was printed and I was able to officially call myself a published author.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Life is never easy and I’ve certainly experienced my share of obstacles. One of the toughest things I’ve had to endure in my life was finding out when I was 18 years old that my dad, who raised me, was not my biological father. I was beginning my freshman year of college when I was told, and so it wasn’t an easy road starting my career and adult life. Throughout those years, I discovered many other things, along with learning that I wasn’t an only child after all and had three younger half-siblings. There was so much I had to overcome and battle within myself during that time, but there was always something inside of me that would say “keep going,” which is exactly what I did. I graduated from ASU, married my husband, and started a beautiful family. I share this part of my story because it’s an important piece of who I am as it has truly helped mold me into the woman I am today.

Going through that part of my life made me realize that I can get through anything, even business hurdles. I remember first starting my book and thinking that it wasn’t going to go anywhere else other than inside my journal. Once it was finished, I figured it was worth a shot to start figuring out how I could actually get it published. So, I spent a lot of time on Google and going back and forth about whether or not traditional or indie publishing would be right for me. I also remember searching for an illustrator, which was overwhelming just in itself! When I found my business partner who helped me build a team to get my book published, I was so grateful.

In December of 2019, the entire book was complete – illustrations, format, lettering, everything was done. However, the search to find a printer was very difficult. We were originally going to have the books printed in China but let me remind you that this was the end of 2019, and we all know how 2020 started. I remember the first week of January, seeing the news about a new virus in China which then led us to search for a new printer. Luckily, we found one in the United States, but by the time my book was printed in March of 2020, the Coronavirus pandemic was at its peak. 2020 was definitely a very difficult year for everyone and an even tougher year trying to launch a book. During that time, I felt defeated and as if my book would never get off the ground or into the hands of anyone other than my family. It was just this past February when things were starting to look up for the book and so far, I have been able to participate in virtual book fests and a couple other local events. I am very excited to see what 2021 has in store!

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I am a writer. I have been ever since I can remember and I will always work hard to perfect my craft. Writing has been one way I can really express myself in the most intimate of ways and has gotten me through many seasons in my life. My first book, “Papito and The Squeezebox,” focuses on celebrating Mexican American culture along with Tejano music. It is about a young boy who searches for his identity through his love for music and comes to learn that anything is possible, especially with his family beside him.

It was important for me to bring awareness of my culture and Tejano music because when I was young, I never did read children’s books that were relatable to what I experienced in my life. I think what sets me apart from others is how I write about the love I have for my culture and how I connect it to my personal experiences. I can also relate to my main character, who searches for his sense of belonging as I too, have felt unsure of who I was. I accomplished one of my biggest dreams and it is something I can leave behind for my boys to remind them that they can achieve anything in life and for me, that is what I am most proud of.

Before we let you go, we’ve got to ask if you have any advice for those who are just starting out?
I want anyone who reads my story to know that regardless of their situation or life’s roadblocks, they can and will get through it. Life hands us the sourest lemons sometimes, but it’s all about what we choose to do with them – we can either make lemonade or let them leave a bitter taste in our mouth. I was blessed with an amazing life even with all the ups and downs I’ve gone through, each has led me to becoming the person I am today. I am also so grateful that I’ve had the support of my husband in every aspect of my journey and to now have our boys, who are my biggest inspiration to keep working hard to be the best version of myself. We’re all stronger than we allow ourselves to believe and if we really want something, it’s possible… just “keep going.”

Pricing:

• “Papito and The Squeezebox” book – $13.99

Contact Info:

• Email: papitossqueezebox@gmail.com
• Website: https://www.theadventuresofpapito.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/papitossqueezebox/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/papito.squeezebox
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/PSqueezebox

Image Credits
@barterforchange