Theme: Connectivity

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).

4653 Clairton Boulevard
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, 15236
United States

Adam Foote

Adam Foote has been a classroom teacher of the past eight years. Following graduation in 2003 from Juniata College Adam worked in the business world for a handful of years. After conducting three years of personally unsatisfying work, he enrolled in Robert Morris University to complete certification program for Social Studies Education. During his time in the Baldwin Whitehall School District, Adam met his wife Cheri with whom they have two amazing little girls Raegan and Madison.

Delaney Kelly

Delaney Kelly is a senior at Baldwin High School and plans to study biomedical engineering at The University of Pittsburgh next year. She plays lacrosse and volleyball and enjoys reading and watching old movies, such as her favorite, “Breakfast at Tiffany’s.” She works at American Eagle and waitresses/bartends at The Interchange Lounge. One day she hopes to make substantial contributions to the field of medicine concerning people with severe cases of diabetes.

Dennis Doyle

Dennis Doyle is a senior at Baldwin High School. He has been active in a wide variety of activities and organizations including being President of the Student Council, President of the National Art Honor Society, as well as a captain of the cross-country team. Dennis will be attending a four-year university next fall in order to continue his education in chemistry and studio arts.

Dipesh Timsina

Dipesh is a senior at Baldwin High School. He was born and raised in a refugee camp in Nepal. Dipesh comes from a Bhutanese background and has been resettled in the United States for seven years now. Even with hardship in adjusting, he has now found magic in math and science. His interest has grown over the years and now includes theoretical physics. He seeks to discover why the universe is the way it is.

Doug Graff

Douglas Graff has been a social studies teacher for 16 years. He has been honored by Who’s Who Among America’s Teachers and local universities for his work inside the classroom. As a Baldwin alumni, Mr. Graff has coached basketball, football and golf as well as being involved in many school clubs and activities. His greatest joy is being married to his wife Maggie (a fellow Baldwin teacher), and being a proud father of three fabulous kids.

Ean Eshelman

Ean is a senior at Baldwin High School. At Baldwin, Ean was a four-year member of the football team and a four-year veteran in the marching band. Yes, he is the one at halftime that plays with the band all sweaty and bloody in his full pads. The School District mascot is the Fighting Highlander and Ean is the district’s bagpiper. With the bagpipes, he plays with the Pittsburgh Paramedical Pipes and Drums where he has been selected to be one of the few pipers to play at the National EMS Memorial Service. Ean is also an active member of the National Honor Society. Furthermore, he has been a lifetime member of the Boy Scouts of America.

Holly Niemi

Dr. Holly Niemi is both an ESL researcher and practitioner. She holds degrees in French and English. In addition to teaching ESL K-12, her research interests include providing ESL staff development for mainstream teachers and distinguishing language difficulties versus learning disabilities in ELLs, as well as increasing cross-cultural interactions. Her latest book is entitled "Implementing RtI to Address the Needs of ELLs."

Kate Musselman

Kate Musselman is an ESL 9-12 classroom teacher. She also provides English and ESL staff development to mainstream teachers and functions as a student advocate and liaison. She has acquired a BA in English Literature and a MA in Teaching, both from the University of Pittsburgh. She received her program specialist certificate for teaching ESL in 2010.

Maria Bruni

Maria is senior at Baldwin High School who would best describe herself as curious. She enjoys yoga with a balance of extra-curricular activities including photography and volunteering at the Humane Society. Additionally, Maria served as class president for the past three years.

Mark Demore II

Mark Demore II is a Baldwin High School senior and will be attending the United States Air Force Academy to study computer engineering upon graduation. As a cross-country runner, Mark volunteers heavily at a multitude of local races and similar events. He is deeply involved with Junior Achievement and their representative programming serving as President of Baldwin’s JA company “bwINK”. Building upon his education with every chance he gets, Mark hopes to expand his knowledge infinitely and use it to effectively defend our nation as an Air Force Officer.

Morgan Schaming

Morgan Schaming is a junior at Baldwin High School. She was been vice president of her class for the past three years, along with being involved in NHS, Student Council, Math League, French Club, and the Purbalite staff. She is the captain for the Girls’ tennis team and plays lacrosse in the spring. In her spare time, she teaches tennis lessons to elementary school children and takes piano lessons. She has been on the highest honor roll for the past three years.

Rabina Phyuyel

Rabina is a sophomore at Baldwin High School. She was born in a small country called Nepal as a refugee. There was a lack of education and resources, but even though she had to deal with a lot of conflict, she is thankful for everything she has received. The year of 2007 marked a significant twist in her life. The United States and seven other countries started to resettle refugees. On February 9th, she landed in Utah and later she journeyed to Pittsburgh in 2011 to be with her family and improve her education. She will continue to work hard because she is a girl with dreams.

Rich Yount

Richard L. Yount retired from the Baldwin Whitehall School District in 2010 after having taught English for twenty-nine years, primarily at the high school. He also taught at Trinity High School in Washington, Pa., as well as at several school districts and at Palm Beach State College in Florida. He is currently the sponsor of VISION Club (Volunteers in Service in Our Neighborhoods), which travels to Bay St. Louis, Mississippi, each year to engage in relief efforts for victims of Hurricane Katrina. The club often works alongside Habitat for Humanity and AmeriCorps in new construction as well as renovating existing properties. His interests include volunteering for Special Olympics, riding in the MS-150 bike ride to Erie, teaching a poetry interpretation course at Osher--Carnegie Mellon University, and purchasing and renovating properties for rental purposes.

Sara Roberto

Sara Roberto is a senior at Baldwin High School and is just a month away from graduation. This upcoming fall, Sara will attend Duquesne University and plans to major in education. Sara has found a love for teaching from her senior year pre-school class. She has always enjoyed being around children and engaging in the activities. She looks up to her parents who inspire her everyday and help her reach her goals.

Scott Hindman

Scott Hindman has earned his BA from Baldwin-Wallace College, his MA from Bowling Green State University, and his MS Ed. From Duquesne University. He spent four years in a study abroad experience at the University of Salzburg, Austria. He has worked for ten years as leader of the Baldwin exchange program with the Konrad Lorenz Gymnasium, Gänserndorf, Austria and now the Bundes regional Gymnasium Spittal an der Drau, Austria. His goal is to bring a better understanding of the German-speaking world to Americans to strengthen ties and improve business relations.

Steve Gardiner

Steve has served the South Hills and surrounding communities as an Insurance Advisor with Eber & Associates, Inc for the past nine years. He is a graduate of the 1993 Class at the University of Pittsburgh and the 1989 Class of Baldwin High School. Steve is the current President of the Brentwood Baldwin Whitehall Chamber of Commerce, he sits on the advisory committee for Economic Development South, he actively volunteers for Junior Achievement of Western PA, is on the membership committee at South Hills Country Club and sits on the Pastoral Council at his church among many other volunteer activities. He now lives in Jefferson Hills and is the dedicated husband of Michelle A. Gardiner and the proud father of three incredible boys.

Tim Laughlin

Tim Laughlin has been a physical education teacher for 15 years. He received his Bachelor's Degree in Health & Physical Education from Indiana University of Pennsylvania. He has been at Baldwin High School for 13 years, teaching Partners PE for 12 of those years. His personal goals are to continue to grow the Partners PE program even further into other surrounding school districts, and to also continue growing and developing into a more effective educator.

Walter Graves

Dr. Walter Graves has been employed in education for 26 years. In his tenure, he has earned a Bachelors - Tech. Ed. - California University of PA, a Masters - Administration - Westminster College, and a Doctorate - Curriculum and Instruction - University of Phoenix. In addition to his work in education, he has served as a journeyman Carpenter Local Union 142 – Pittsburgh. He has been married for 27 years and father of four children who have provided him with countless opportunities to learn through their unique characteristics, experiences, and qualities.