One billion. That’s how many viewers have checked out a TED talk online in the past decade. Now Langley residents have the opportunity to participate in their own, locally organized TEDx experience.
Alec Couros, Jan Unwin, Jennifer Long, Alan Davis, Hannah Park and other speakers from the world of education and beyond will share their ideas for shaping the tomorrow’s classroom and community at TEDxLangleyED.
The Langley School District has announced plans to host this independently organized TED conference at the Chief Sepass Theatre on January 17, with talks focused on “a vision for the future”.
Superintendent Suzanne Hoffman says the district, “is looking forward to the opportunity to engage the community in an inspirational day of dialogue, thoughtful conversations and personal reflections.”
For John Pusic, TEDxLangleyED’s executive producer and principal of Aldergrove Community Secondary School, bringing a TEDx event to the community is a dream come true.
While Pusic has always admired and enjoyed the wealth of ideas shared by TED Talks he’s seen, it was a “chance encounter” with TED curator Chris Anderson on a Whistler golf course last year that finally motivated him to make TEDxLangleyED a reality.
“He’s a real down-to-earth guy with an extraordinary vision,” Pusic says of Anderson.
A receptive and engaged audience is a crucial aspect of a successful TEDx event. Organizers are hoping to fill the 100 seats with people from a wide-range of backgrounds to ensure the audience includes a diversity of perspectives so they have opened online applications to the general public until Dec. 1. Attendees can apply to attend at tedxlangleyed.com
Ultimately, Pusic hopes this year’s event will have a unifying effect on the community.
“It’s not just about education,” he says, “but all of our communities coming together and envisioning a future together. It’s something we’ve taken a chance on, we’re excited about, and we’re hoping to grow for years to come.”