Reared in Lee's Summit and in Fayette, Missouri, Ted graduated from Fayette High School in 1977. He earned a bachelor's degree in political science in 1981 from Central Methodist College and the Juris Doctorate degree in 1984 from the University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Law.
Ted lives in St. Charles County with his wife, Mardi, their three children, Benjamin, Catherine and Daniel. Mardi is employed as a senior engineer at The Boeing Company and is engaged in the design of components for the new international space station. Ted is an attorney at law in St. Charles County. The House's are members of the First United Methodist Church of St. Charles.
Ted serves as Chairman of the Education Committee and Vice-Chairman of the Insurance and Housing Committee in the Senate. He also serves on the following committees: Ways and Means; Civil and Criminal Jurisprudence; Transportation; Labor and Industrial Relations; and Agriculture, Conservation, Parks and Tourism.