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).

Deerfield High School
1959 Waukegan
Deerfield, Illinois, 60015
United States

Chris Sykora

Visual Arts Educator and Nonprofit Director

Chris Sykora serves as a Assistant Director for the Illinois High School Art Exhibition, of which he is a co-founder. He teaches high school visual art at Deerfield High School, and holds a Master in Educational Leadership, with a Principal Endorsement. Chris has served as the Secretary, Executive Board Member, and Advocacy Taskforce Chair for the Illinois Art Education Association, a role that included coordinating visits to Washington D.C. to lobby for NEA funding, and connecting with key legislators to bring comprehensive art requirements to Illinois. With a social constructivist education philosophy and passion for the arts, Chris has led numerous community-based projects with such partners as the Museum of Contemporary Art, IAEA, and IASB, while advocating for STEAM curricular systems in school districts; bridging intersections across disciplines, learner communities, and democratic policy. He currently leads professional development workshops on the creative process in education.

Ella Sager

High School Mathematics Teacher

Ella Sager is a wife and mother who has been teaching high school mathematics for eleven years. She holds Master’s degrees in mathematics and educational leadership, and is always looking for new and exciting challenges. Ella has innovative ideas about growth mindset and has presented at professional development workshops and leadership conferences. She has coached girls cross country for seven years, and enjoys racing in triathlons in her free time. Ella is passionate about empowering learners to reach their full potential and think positively.

Erin Keating

Student

Erin Keating is a high school senior and has been a student-athlete her whole life. She started playing volleyball in middle school and began to take it seriously during her freshman year of high school. She plays for Adversity Volleyball Club and through her time in sports she has seen the power of competition and learned to use it to motivate herself. Erin was able to grow as a player and a person when she leaned into the competition of club volleyball, and the competition to make high school varsity teams. Before she heads to college she wants to share her story with other high school athletes and encourage them to keep growing and competing.

Tess Ballis

Student

Tess Ballis is a writer, activist, and speaker on human rights from Deerfield, Illinois. Currently a senior at Deerfield High School and an incoming freshman at Northwestern University, Tess is an advocate for the rights of people with albinism and awareness about this condition, which she was born with. Her past work has included publishing writing in the quarterly magazine of the National Organization of Albinism and Hypopigmentation and delivering the keynote speech at the 2017 Skin Cancer Foundation of South Africa annual summit. Tess serves as Student Board President for the Vision For Tomorrow Foundation, a nonprofit organization that raises awareness and funds for vision-impairing conditions such as albinism, and she is passionate about protecting the fundamental rights of all human beings.