Theme: 21st Century Education

TEDxDenverTeachers is a public - private collaboration between Colorado Academy, the Association of Independent Schools and Denver Public Schools to share innovative educational practices that change lives. The focus this year will be teaching all students 21st Century Capacities essential to future successful.

Colorado Academy
3800 South Pierce Street
Denver, Colorado, 80235
United States

Co Barry

Owner and Principal of Boulder, Colorado-based KDT Consulting, which specializes in Curriculum Development and Design Thinking. - Lecturer at Stanford University’s Hasso Platner Institute of Design, also knows as ‘The Stanford D School.’ - Master of Arts degree in Education, Curriculum and Teacher Education from Stanford University. - Brings extensive knowledge of Design Thinking and Curriculum Development to schools.

Grant Lichtman

Author of The Falconer: What We Wish We Had Learned in School. - Chief Operating Officer of the Francis Parker School. - Author of The Learning Pond, a blog which focuses on transformational schools and how they shape students' future

Martha Ashley

St. Mary’s Academy Principal 2004 to Present – Assistant Head of Middle School 2000 to 2004 – Math Teacher from 1993 to 2000 at the Hockaday School – Masters of Liberal Arts from Southern Methodist University – BS in Engineering Technology Magan Cum Laude Texas A&M University

Kim Paul

Paul is the history department chair at Colorado Academy and currently teachers Global Perspectives in the 21st Century which contains a trimester of Design Thinking. Over the years, Paul has taught everything from kindergarten to college and he has received both teacher-of-the-year and coach-of-the-year honors. Paul also serves as the director of the CA Youth Philanthropy Program. In 2009 with four of his former students, Paul co-founded Dot-to-Dot Children’s Books, a non-profit company that works with underdeveloped communities. Paul earned his B.A. in American Studies at the University of Oregon and his M.A. in American Studies at the University of Wyoming.

Chris Barnes

A passion for intellectual and outdoor pursuits led Christopher and his wife, Molly, to found the High Mountain Institute and HMI Semester in 1995. After graduating from Colorado College with a BA in Physics, he spent two years studying nature philosophy and apprenticing with a wide variety of outdoor programs in Scandinavia. Field experience with the National Outdoor Leadership School and Deer Hill Expeditions combined with two years of teaching physics at a small boarding school sowed the seeds for the dream of creating the High Mountain Institute.

Richard Steckel

Richard is the co-founder and executive producer of the Milestones Project and internationally recognized as a consultant and speaker on nonprofit social enterprise and for-profit social marketing. He and his wife, Michele, conceived The Milestones Project in 1998 and have since traveled the world capturing the images and stories of more than 70,000 children in 30 countries. Richard and Shelli produced more than a dozen nationally acclaimed photography-based educational resources with the Milestones Project, and his books have received a variety of awards.

James Owen

After a successful 35-year business career, Jim Owen reinvented himself as an author, film producer and social innovator. He also created the Center for Cowboy Ethics and Leadership, a nonprofit foundation to help spread the message that “we can all be heroes in our own lives.” Jim’s book credits include Cowboy Ethics (2004), a best seller with more than 120,000 copies sold to date, and Cowboy Values (2008). His most recent book, The Try, addresses what kids need to learn to be successful in an evolving world.

Ann Moore

Ann Moore serves as an Educational Consultant to the Center for Cowboy Ethics and Leadership spearheading the Center’s educational and youth programs. Additionally, Ann was the Executive Director for the Center for Cowboy Ethics and Leadership for three years and is currently a teacher at Cherry Creek High School, one of Colorado’s top-ranked public high schools, where she specializes in working with at-risk students.

Ken Arkind

Ken is an American National Poetry Slam Champion, TEDx Fellow, Nuyorican Poets Cafe Grand Slam Champion and published author who has performed his work in 49 states, 6 countries and at more than 150 colleges and universities. He is the current Executive Director and head coach of Denver Minor Disturbance, an independent literary arts organization dedicated to helping Colorado youth find voice through the mediums of poetry and performance.

Theo Wilson

Theo Wilson is a founding member of the Denver Slam Nuba team, who won the National Poetry Slam in 2011. He began his speaking career in the N.A.A.C.P. at the age of 15, and has always had a passion for social justice. He attended Florida A&M University, where he obtained his B.A. in Theater Performance. Upon graduating, he interned as a full time actor in St. Louis Black Repertory Company, where he was introduced to Slam Poetry, and has never looked back. In 2004, he returned to Denver, winning many local slams against Denver's top competitors. Theo has opened for performers such as Dead Prez, The Flobots, Bahamadia, Saul Williams, Taylor Mali and Universes.

Martha Ashley

Martha is the middle school principal at St. Mary’s Academy. She has also served as assistant head of school at The Episcopal School of Dallas and as a math teacher. A graduate of Texas A&M, Martha also holds a Masters of Liberal Arts from Southern Methodist University and certification in math instruction grades 6-12.