Theme: The Spirit of Inquiry

In the spirit of ideas worth spreading, TEDx is a program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience. At a TEDx event, TEDTalks video and live speakers combine to spark deep discussion and connection in a small group. These local, self-organized events are branded TEDx, where x = independently organized TED event. The TED Conference provides general guidance for the TEDx program, but individual TEDx events are self-organized (subject to certain rules and regulations).

Woodbury High School - Auditorium
2665 Woodlane Dr
Woodbury, Minnesota, 55125
United States

Eric McClellan

International Learning and Development Leader, Family Therapist

Eric McClellan, MA, LMFT is currently an international learning and development leader. He has written two successfully well reviewed automotive books as well contributes to many automotive publications regularly. Eric is also a Licensed Marriage and Family therapist, movie buff and avid car journalist and enthusiast. Eric combines his two passions of psychology and car knowledge to create an eclectic blend of humor and learning. He is always looking for better, more creative solutions to helping people improve their lives. You can find Eric incessantly tinkering and creating things from Lego's to building race cars with his wife Danielle and two kids in Hugo, Minnesota.

Evan Murray

Student

Evan Murray is a self-taught technology enthusiast. He became interested in computing during 5th grade, and has always been an active musician since four years old. One of his favorite musical achievements was being awarded Third Place in the Senior High Division of the 2017 State Original Composition Contest held by the Minnesota Music Teachers Association. Another technological accomplishment was when he successfully developed his own iPhone game with a friend, and published it to the App Store in 2015. After graduating High School, he plans on continuing to study technology and music.

Jordan Ermer

Teacher

Jordan Ermer is a teacher and coach at Woodbury High School. He changed his career from market development to education in pursuit of a life of community building and passion. Jordan has struggled and failed, as is common in the human condition, and has found a way to live passionately as a family member, skydive instructor, an avid BASE jumper, rock climber, and educator who tirelessly loves his craft.

Keith Jacobus

Superintendent

Keith Jacobus, Ph.D., is the superintendent of South Washington County Schools. As a classroom teacher he taught biology and has a passion for brain research and how understanding brain physiology can help improve our educational system and the quality of our lives. Before joining South Washington County Schools, Jacobus served as Assistant Superintendent of Leadership, Teaching and Learning, for the Osseo Area School District in Osseo, Minnesota. He moved to Minnesota from Colorado nine years ago after serving as a teacher, high school principal and central administrator. Since coming to Minnesota he has embraced trying to water ski for at least seven months out of the year and has struggled to learn how to proficiently skate ski. Jacobus’ degrees include a Ph.D. from the University of Denver, a Master’s in Education from Lesley College and a Bachelor of Science from Colorado State University.

Oskar Cymerman

Teacher

Oskar Cymerman is and educator and an author. He teaches chemistry, engineering, and learning effectively and study skills at Woodbury High School. Oskar's main interest is applying science, mainly neuroscience, to achieving peak performance. To this end, he continues to learn, teach, and write about smarter, faster, and more effective learning methods. He blogs about brain-based learning methods, mindset, and acquiring transferable skills not commonly taught in schools on his website crushschool and his Crush School Series Books for grades 5-12 are used by teachers throughout the US to help students learn how to learn.

Pam Uphus

Teacher

Pam Uphus would like to thank the IRS for her career in education. After 10 years of running a successful daycare business out of her home, a four-year IRS audit and a trip to tax court convinced her to return to college to complete an English degree and teaching license (It should be noted she left tax court victorious). Kids, literature and drama are her passions. She spent the first 18 years of her career teaching at Oltman Middle School, where for 10 years she directed musicals, and she believes there is no greater joy – for students or directors - than being part of the magic of putting a show on stage. She has been at Woodbury High School for five years, and every day she tries to bring her passion for students, her energy, and a sense of humor into her classroom to help them grow their love of literature, thrive as confident writers and poets, and have some fun as they “figure it all out.”

Ranjani Hariharan

Student

Ranjani Hariharan, a junior at Woodbury High School, is sincerely dedicated to the areas of academia, service, and leadership. Along with serving as a Key Club International district board member, she is a member of the National Honor Society chapter at WHS, both activities in which she seeks to serve her peers and her community. She holds the strong belief that progress starts with individuals stepping forward to spark discussion about issues they feel need to be addressed. With this belief, she hopes to initiate a conversation amongst members of her community about the importance of curiosity and the benefits of being able to constantly question things around us, even regarding things that may seem rather simplistic.

Tisidra Jones

Artists, Lawyer, Entrepreneur

Tisidra is passionate about creating systems that allow more people to thrive. As an artist, lawyer and entrepreneur she works at those intersections to connect with individuals and communities; design and create more holistic programs and policies; and try to expand access to economic opportunities for more people. Tisidra has studied the power of the arts to connect communities. She has also conducted sociological and legal research on systems that divide. Throughout her career, and her in current role as CEO of Strong & Starlike, Consulting, Inc., Tisidra has worked with government entities, nonprofits and businesses to design sustainable programs and policies that can result in more communities having access to what they need to thrive. Tisidra’s work at the intersection of art, law and entrepreneurship has resulted in multiple awards and honors, including the 2017 International Arts and Culture Citizen Award.

Tou Xiong

MN State Representative

Tou Xiong is currently a State Representative in the Minnesota legislature representing House District 53A (Woodbury, Oakdale, Landfall, and Maplewood). Before being elected as a State Representative, Tou Xiong was a City Council Member for the city of Maplewood from 2016 to 2018. Rep. Xiong became interested in politics at the early age of 14 volunteering and canvassing with the local political parties in Maplewood, Oakdale, and Woodbury. Rep. Xiong is a graduate of Tartan Highs School in Oakdale, and went to college at Saint Cloud State University. After college Rep. Xiong received his law degree from William Mitchell College of Law. Apart from his duties as a State Representative, Rep. Xiong is also an Executive Director of a nonprofit in south Minneapolis.