Theme: Tomorrow Begins With You

What does the future hold? Our theme this year examines what the 21st Century changes will be like with an emphasis on how young people can assume exciting and productive roles within a technological society. How can we balance art, nature, technology, education, music, politics, and so much more? Come to our TEDx not to find answers, but to find ideas and inspiration.

Rancho Verde High School
17750 Laselle Street
Moreno Valley, California, 92551
United States

Chris Shary

artist + educator

The Northern California drama teacher is one of the most prolific punk rock artists since Raymond Pettibon. He has most recently worked with artist such as 7 Seconds, Teenage Bottlerocket, and Old Man Markley, but most importantly, Chris Shary has been the go-to artist for Descendents/ALL since 1991. Shary might not have invented the Milo logo, but in his long run with the band, he has made it into something all his own while staying true to its original spirit. Shary started the recent craze for band Christmas sweatshirts and his artwork is starting to appear on everything from record covers to coffee cups.

David Culberhouse

LCAP Program Manager

VUCA (Volatility, Uncertainty, Complexity, Ambiguity) guru, Educational Futurist: Currently serving as an LCAP Program Manager for San Bernardino County Superintendent of Schools. previously served as a Senior Director of Elementary Education in a large urban district, as well as Principal of a California Distinguished School, Elementary Administrator, and a middle and elementary school teacher. Culberhouse has written books about the future of education and is highly concerned with student-worker trends leading to the future.

Duan Kellum

artist + educator

As an artist, educator and activist, my art encompasses all three of these elements in what I do. My art is a form of education, whether it address an issue that one is not aware of or universal issues. I want the viewer/wearer to take something away. However, I acknowledge that once a piece is out in the public all control I have over its interpretation and direction is lost. One is free to attach any ideas, biases or presumptions as they see fit. Sometimes art is not easy to digest. Often it may address issues that are not universally popular or known. I tend to utilize alternative forms of media to educate myself on current and historical issues. This is not to say that common issues are not important, but those issues have multiple perspectives.

Kaeli Flaczinski

Structures Build Engineer at SpaceX

Kaeli Flaczinski is a structures build engineer for Space X. She has been involved with aerospace since 2013 and has exciting things to share about where Space X is going and the future of space travel.

Michael McCormick

Superintendent

Before becoming its superintendent, Michael served for six years as the Assistant Superintendent for Education Services for Val Verde USD. Under his leadership, VVUSD has been recognized by Education Trust West as, “tops among California districts Closing the Achievement Gap” and named College Board AP District of the Year. He participated as a member of the Riverside County contingent of educators summoned by the White House to a meeting at the U.S. Department of Education to create the Riverside County Education Collaborative and connect with the College Day of Opportunity. Michael has given presentations statewide, nationally, and internationally, including multiple keynote presentations at Google Symposiums focusing on the successful implementation of instructional technology in a K-12 school district. He traveled to Qingdao, China in April 2016 to present at the Sino-US Basic Education Forum on Global Comparative Education. Michael has presented in many places on many issues.

Michael Vargas

Mayor / Advocate

Fast Facts Elected: Elected Mayor of Perris, California -2016 to present Term Expires: November 2020 Employment: Retired Los Angeles School Police Department sergeant Family: Four daughters Hobbies: Photography, computer graphics, music fan

Paulina Ortega

Middle School Student

Vista Verde Middle School student, Paulina Ortega, has some big ideas that could benefit mankind in the future!

Pep Fernandez

Sports Broadcaster

Pep Fernandez is a self-made entrepreneur who stuck to his dream of being a Sports Broadcaster and is now heavily entrenched as the main Sports Broadcaster for the Inland Empire region. He writes on sports, does podcasts, and has a youtube sports show. He is a dynamo of sports news.

Phil Yeh

Cartoonist

Phil Yeh began his professional career in 1970 in Southern California where he grew up. In 1973 he created Uncle Jam, a wonderful free paper covering the arts, that he published for the next 19 years. In 1977 he wrote, illustrated and published one of the first modern American graphic novels, Even Cazco Gets the Blues. He followed up this first book with at least one brand new graphic novel each year for the next 15 years. To date, Phil has written and illustrated over 80 published books. Phil founded Cartoonists Across America & The World in 1985 after being inspired by Wally Amos to do something about the literacy crisis on the planet. His band of artists have promised to tour the world for 25 years until 2010. They have painted more than 1700 murals in 49 states in the United States as well as more than a dozen countries working with some of the most talented artists on the planet. Phil's 2007 graphic novel, Dinosaurs Across America is recognized as a milestone in graphic novels.

Rafranz Davis

Author, Speaker, Technology Advocate

Rafranz Davis is currently sharing her relentless passion for innovative learning as the Executive Director of Professional and Digital Learning for Lufkin ISD. She is a trailblazer in every facet of her endeavors and has dedicated her career to empowering students and teachers to share their voices throughout their communities and the world. Rafranz uses her platform across the edtech ecosystem to advocate for creative learning through making while simultaneously challenging communities through the lens of digital equity and diversity. She is the 2017 winner of ISTE’s Outstanding Leadership Award and holds countless industry distinctions including…Google Innovator, Adobe Education Leader, TED innovative educator, Apple Distinguished Educator, Microsoft Innovative Education Expert and her proudest, Global Minecraft Mentor.

Ted Fujimoto

President -Educator, dreamer, leader

Ted Fujimoto is the president of Landmark Consulting Group, Inc., a management and investment consultancy for scaling innovations in learning. Clients include some of the most prominent foundations, investors and innovators that span across education, media, entertainment, technology, distribution, content, energy and real estate. He also serves on the board of California Credit Union, a $3 billion credit union. He is the founder and co-chair of the Right to Succeed Foundation, a non-profit focused on transforming public education worldwide and through the creation of at least 6,000 American Dream Schools within the next 10 years. Ted helped to design and create the replication systems and strategy for several of the largest scalable, fastest growing, highest performing public school designs in the country that created over 400 schools, including New Tech Network and Big Picture Learning. Big Picture Learning, public schools located in some of the toughest urban areas in America.