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).

Lonestar College Tomball
30555 Tomball Parkway
Tomball, Texas, 77375
United States

America Yolanda Lopez

By: Giovanna Mariani Yolanda is an eclectic vibrant and creative woman. Professionalism, determination, strength and charisma are just some of the peculiar characteristics that forge her Latino blood. She loves dancing, reading and even joking… Her commitment to the refugee communities in Malaysia has been remarkable and she has effectively helped many to rebuild their lives while in exile. Her vitality was an asset to the office and everyone got to love her, including her Spanish accent. She is also a wonderful non-stop mom and many times her maternal instinct has guided all of us. Last but not least, Yolanda is a fantastic and inspiring friend. Optimism and enthusiasm are also part of her personality and she has so many ideas as the many hairs in her head. If you happen to know her you cannot forget!!!

Autumn Raynor

Autumn likes: the sound of someone else doing the dishes, having a name that is in the dictionary yet is frequently misspelled, audacious lies, the color chartreuse, memories of the days it was okay to have big hair. Autumn dislikes: non-cartoon bugs, fake hugs, wine snobbery, bank robbery, boring hats, mega bats, and things that rhyme.

Cassandra Jones

Cassandra Jones is awesome. I call her Aunt Cassie. My favorite thing to do with her is hang out. She loves to hang out with me too. In the future I think she will live with me. - Nathaniel Harmon - Nephew

Dr. Jerrel Wade

Jerrel is even keel. He never gets too high or too low about any situation, tends to be calming presence in a given situation, and is always looking for a way to move forward regardless of his circumstance. Now, his wife and son may disagree with this assessment but that’s the story we are going to stick to in this bio. Jerrel has a strange infatuation with Freddy Krueger (don’t ask), could eat chicken wings every day, and despises cats. Despite being born in Maryland and growing up between three different states, Jerrel is Oklahoman that is 100% Sooner Born and Sooner Bred. Despite many people in Texas finding that to be a fatal flaw, most overlook that and agree Jerrel is a decent person, with a caring heart, and a commitment to serving others.

Dr. Lee Ann Nutt

As a child, I was amazed by people who knew what they wanted to be when they grew up. The future was never that clear to me. My career in higher education administration, which has now spanned 20-years or so, started accidentally when I answered a classified ad in the Lubbock Avalanche Journal. With a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in hand (from Texas Tech University), but without any experience or knowledge of college administration, I began as the Assistant to the Dean of Instruction at South Plains College - Lubbock in 1990. To those who saw something in me that I didn't know was there, thank you! Realizing that community college leadership was my "thing," I finished a Master's of Education in Higher Education Administration at Texas Tech in December, 1992. However, I continued with the Doctorate of Education program in January, 1993, and graduated from Texas Tech for the third time in December, 1996. I moved to North Central Texas College in 1996 as Dean of Continuing Education. While at NCTC I advanced to Provost of the Denton County campuses and then Vice President of Instruction. In 2011, I moved to Lone Star College-Tomball as Vice President of Instruction. In August 2014, I was appointed Acting President. In February 2015, I was selected to be the President. I am an adjunct faculty member in the Doctorate in Community College Leadership Program at Ferris State University. My course is Quantitative Research Methods. While in graduate school, I taught the following courses for the Psychology Department at Lubbock Christian University: Psychological Statistics, Social Research Methods, and Writing & Research in Psychology. I co-taught the University Studies Course, and I taught a similar course at Texas Tech University. While at North Central Texas College, I taught a leadership for the Business department. According to StrengthsQuest, my top five are: (1) Responsible; (2) Achiever; (3) Strategic; (4) Relator; and (5) Arranger.

Dr. Martha Salazar-Zamora

The Tomball ISD Board of Trustees hired Dr. Martha Salazar-Zamora as superintendent of schools effective April 1, 2017. Salazar-Zamora joined Tomball nearly three years ago as the chief academic officer. She has worked in education for 30 years. She joined Tomball from Round Rock ISD, where she served as the deputy superintendent of curriculum and administration. Prior to working in Round Rock, Salazar-Zamora was the assistant superintendent of school support services in Houston ISD. She also worked in Spring ISD as an area superintendent, an assistant superintendent, and the executive director of student/school services. While serving Kingsville ISD, she worked as the superintendent of schools for three years. She earned a doctorate of education at Texas A&M University, a master of education in educational administration and a master of education in special education at Texas A&M University-Kingsville, and a bachelor of science at Texas A&I University.

George T. Williams

George is a blond…...although his ditziness is sometimes passed off as righteous indignation, he knows the truth. He colors his beard, and likes to wear ties. When he’s not running from campus to campus in Tomball ISD helping teachers with their instructional technology, he sits at his laptop and ponders the universe. His current projects include being a keyboard player for an 80s/90s cover band and working on the outboard motor of his 1985 Boston Whaler Montauk. Someday he may be able to go fishing in it, but until then he’ll continue to obsess over boat motor videos and videos about astrophysics wondering if the twain shall meet.

Jacob Files

Jacob Files is intentional. He is prepared, attentive, and always comes off a little more intense than he means to. He is passionate not just in his work but his relationships too. He cares about the people in his life and continually strives to keep growing those relationships. Jacob has this power when he puts himself in front of a crowd to speak. Just thinking about listening to him give a speech makes others feel more alert, ready to take in what he has to say. His steady tone commands attention in a respectful manner. He wants to be a politician and this ability will serve him well. He will soon have to give up his love for the Rockets when he marries his girlfriend, who is an avid Spurs fan. Viva los Spurs!

Janeth Del Carmen Castellanos

Janeth Del Carmen Castellanos has a thing for cats. Everyone calls her Car-men; I guess that makes her a transformer right? She hates that joke. She enjoys working out, but also likes chicken nuggets. She is an artist of beauty, she leaves your face on fleek and flawless. She is hilarious and loves bad dad jokes, she tends to slap her knee and laugh at her own jokes. She is a very hard working, bold, motivating, charismatic and loving person who always sees the bright side of any ugly situation. She might be young, but has a lot of wisdom to give. She is a young woman with dreams of traveling the world and meeting different people, but also dreams of having a career that she loves and the opportunity to help others. The aura she presents is the type that inspires and makes you want to be around her. She is a true believer of ‘’Education is key to success.’’ And from her close friend… “I am so proud of you and glad to be able to call you my best friend.”

Margaret Jelinek Lewis

Margaret does not know a stranger: Her children marvel at her ability and willingness to talk to absolutely anyone (and not stop). She thinks 5 AM is a wonderful time to swim laps, especially in cold weather, and she embraces almost any opportunity to wear a fabulous hat. She is a passionate teacher and storyteller. Some of Margaret’s favorite activities involve preparing and eating food with her family, hiking in the Scottish Highlands, and writing.

Paul Nimon

Paul Nimon lives by the motto, “don’t panic, and bring a towel.” As an educator, he’s extremely passionate about the success of all his students. When he’s not making the big bucks teaching future generations, he enjoys spending time watching movies. As an avid movie-buff with wall-to-wall shelves of DVDs, don’t bother asking him to pick a favorite film – the first rule is he’s not supposed to talk about it!

Sabrina Esparza

At the age of 7 years old, Sabrina’s parents faced a team of six doctors who told them that college would never be an option for Sabrina. At best, they should hope that her learning would continue to progress past early stages of development. The doctors decided to monitor her cognitive growth each year to see if she would plateau or continue to grow. Sabrina surprised doctors by not only continuing to progress, but showing them that college is not only an option, but also a reality!

Todd Nesloney

Todd Nesloney wants to live in a world where everyone is valued for what they bring to the table and that you have time to get all that you want to get done in a day! As a Principal, he's been honored by the White House, National School Board Association, Texas Computer Education Association, and many more entities for his work in the educational field and with students and teachers When he's not being a principal, writing, or speaking, you can find him catching up on his favorite Netflix shows or reading a good book. His recently released book — Stories from Webb — hit shelves on January 24, 2018. Learn more about how Todd does what he does, and maybe gain a few new ideas and some inspiration by visiting his website at www.toddnesloney.com

Tood Nesloney

Todd Nesloney is the Principal/Lead Learner at a PreK-5 school in Texas. He is an award winning author who has written several books including "Stories from Webb", “Kids Deserve It!” and “Flipping 2.0: Practical Strategies for Flipping Your Class” as well as his children’s book “Spruce & Lucy”. Todd has been recognized by the National School Board Association as one of the “20 to Watch” in Education, by the Center for Digital Education as one of their “Top 40 Innovators in Education”, by the BAMMYs as the “National Elementary Principal of the Year” and the “National Elementary Teacher of the Year”, by the Texas Computer Education Association as their “Texas Elementary Teacher of the Year”, and by the White House as a Connected Educator “Champion of Change”.