Join us for the presenter workshop series (optional)….

Begins November 20, 2023

The Shared Experience workshop series is a 6-month program (meets by-monthly) inspired by TED Ed masterclass curriculum format. An opportunity for presenters to come together develop their talks, displays and presentations, the workshop series is led by Diane Murray, HDESD’s assistant director of innovation, Geraldine Casimiro, HDESD’s director of Language Justice + Access, and Marcus LeGrand, Central Oregon Community College’s Afrocentric Program coordinator and instructor.

For more information, or to register for the workshop series, contact Diane Murray at diane.murray@hdesd.org.

The Shared Experience event will take place on May 23rd, 2024.

Ticket information will be posted closer to the event.

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i4Education is proud to present The Shared Experience, Central Oregon’s forum for educators to their share their stories  and highlight innovative solutions to the challenges we face in education. Inspired by the TED Ed™ talks we have hosted for the past two years, this new and expanded event is open to speakers, poets, artists, photographers, musicians and all presenters with ideas to share around innovation in education.

Meet the 2023 TED Ed™ speakers

Kathy Alexander

The Missing “SPARK” in Education

Kathy Alexander feels exceptional compassion for students who have lost their drive at a young age. By providing elementary school students with purpose and vision for their future, she strives to help keep them engaged and in school. A former business owner who began a career in electronics at age 17, she has spent the last four years as a STEM pathways education coordinator, working to inspire young students to succeed in school and life.

Amy Bordelon

Do you know you’re not broken? Seeing the Beauty in Neurodivergence

Amy Bordelon learns as much from her students as they learn from her. A licensed marriage and family therapist, she is a champion for social-emotional learning and skill-building for individuals who experience the world in their own unique ways. Inspired by the neurodivergent kids and young adults she works with, Bordelon shares a different, and life-changing, lens through which to see them.

Wendy Burkhardt

How to create belonging in our schools. It all starts with a door.

Wendy Burkhardt has been partnering with students and families to open doors for more than 25 years. As a special education teacher and assistive technology specialist, she tackles barriers and promotes inclusivity for students experiencing physical disabilities. Burkhardt shares the key to creating a sense of belonging, hope and opportunity by opening doors to new adventures.

Geraldine Casimiro

Cultivating community (gets you far)

Gera Casimiro is confident that together we can challenge power in societal institutions. She currently teaches social justice and education centered courses at Oregon State University- Cascades campus. And, as director of language access services for High Desert Education Service District she aims to make education accessible for emergent bilingual learners and their multicultural families in Central Oregon.

Alix Keel

Loud Whispers

Alix Keel knows first-hand that the act of having a good time promotes connection and creativity. Inspired by her own travel experiences, including an impulsive trip to Italy, she shares a unique perspective about the importance of enjoyment in education. A licensed professional counselor associate and Oregon licensed school psychologist, Keel helps students embrace and capitalize on their unique and individual strengths to be successful while having fun.

Erin Taylor

It’s Time to Get Radical

Erin Taylor believes that acknowledging and honoring difficult situations and emotions, letting go of judgment and control, and embracing the moment can change the future of education. A Culture of Care coach with 20 years of experience as a special educator, school psychologist, behavior specialist, Taylor shares the power of “radical acceptance” to support students with special needs and influence positive behavior. She has also found a place for radical acceptance in her own life to support healing and growth.

Amy Yillik

What A School Shooting Taught Me

Amy Yillik believes that a solution to violence in our schools doesn’t require a Doctorate in School Counseling & Psychology. She believes it requires human connection and belonging. With 29 years of experience as a school counselor and psychologist, Yillik credits her personal journey of addiction recovery for helping her in the aftermath of a high school campus shooting. She currently works as a culture of care coach and adjunct faculty member in USC’s Master of School Counseling program.

“I joined simply to learn more about clearly sharing ideas, absolutely not intending or even considering the fact that we would be doing a talk”

— Monica Bergmann Perez, Bilingual SLP, Whitewater Kayak Instructor Trainer, Swiftwater Rescue Instructor, Associate Faculty @ OSU Cascased in the TRAL program

“I took this class because I have difficulty speaking in public but also because I wanted to perfect my “why”- why I am passionate about Healthy Families. I don’t really have a title, but the talk is a story about what parenting can look like. I don’t think that I am seeking feedback as much as I would like to invite compassion.”

—Lori Colvin, Regional Program Manager with Healthy Families of the High Desert

“I have always been a public speaker, and have been an instructor of public
speaking at the college level, but the TED Ed Master class was one of the best personal coaching experiences I’ve had.”

— Ann Marie Anderson, Elementary Library Media Manager Bend LaPineSchools

“Being a part of the TED Ed experience was transformational. Diane and an incredible group of educators supported me in clarfifying my values and crafting a message to affect change in our community and beyond. I am deeply grateful for the feedback, encouragement and wisdome that Diane gave me throughout the entire process. I highly recommend this learning experience to any and every educators who has a desire to share their story with the world.”