His primary interest is in utilizing action research and other qualitative research methods to promote good teaching practices and further explore professional development. His teaching interests at Duke Kunshan include English for academic purposes and the teaching of writing. In general, he is strongly interested in promoting the learning of all foreign languages.

He has served as a U.S. Peace Corps volunteer in Sichuan province and as a U.S Department of State English language fellow and specialist in Chengdu and Beijing. Through these programs, he has worked extensively in teacher development.

Tebbe has a B.A. in German from Denison University, an M.A. in German from the University of Cincinnati, and an M.A. in teaching English to speakers of other languages (TESOL) from Columbia University, Teachers College.