Theme: Connect. Create. Change.

Ten speakers will take the stage at TEDxYDL, presenting some of our community’s next big ideas in compelling 8-minute talks. TEDxYDL is organized by the Ypsilanti District Library and will take place at Halle Library on Eastern Michigan University’s campus. The event will be held on Tuesday, March 22 from 7-9pm, and will feature nine 8-minute talks by local speakers as well as videos of selected TED talks.

The speakers represent a diverse array of disciplines, interests, and organizations across Washtenaw County. Though the talk topics will differ greatly, they will all address the theme, “Connect. Create. Change.” Each talk will highlight a way that connecting unexpected people, groups, or ideas can change our lives, our community, and the world.

Bruce T. Halle Library Auditorium, Eastern Michigan University
955 West Circle Drive
Ypsilanti, Michigan, 48197
United States

D. Scott Heister

Ypsilanti Community Schools, Ypsilanti STEMM Middle College Director

Mr. Heister graduated with a BS in Biology / Minor in Physics from the University of Michigan Flint, then got a Master of Arts Degree in Teaching from Marygrove College. In 1999 he was named the Michigan Science Teachers Association High School Science Teacher of the Year. He has taught in the Ypsilanti community for the past 25 years, has coached many teams, as well as been the lead mentor for Ypsilanti’s Award Winning FIRST Robotics Program since 2004. He also runs the Science Club, and has worked extensively with Ypsilanti’s winter guard program. Mr. Heister was recently named the Yankee Air Museum 2015 STEM Excellence Award Winner and is being honored by the Mentor2Youth Program for the impact he has had on the youth in the Ypsilanti Area. He is currently the director of the Ypsilanti STEMM Middle College of the Ypsilanti Community School District, where he has worked with others to build a STEMM Middle College for high school students around the principles of FIRST Robotics.

Derrick Jackson

Director of Community Engagement at the Washtenaw County Sherriff’s Office.

Derrick Jackson serves as the Director of Community Engagement at the Washtenaw County Sherriff’s Office. He comes from a somewhat unlikely background for a law enforcement officer, graduating from Eastern Michigan University with a Bachelor in Social Work in 1998. While receiving his Masters in Social Work from the University of Michigan, Derrick worked with W.J. Maxey Training School where he had his introduction to the criminal justice system. In 2000 he began his work at Ozone House, working closely with at-risk young people in Washtenaw County. With a background in direct service, community organizing, and politics he continues his commitment to the community by serving on numerous local boards, committees, and by volunteering with several youth programs.

Diana Bernal-Canseco

Ypsilanti STEMM Middle College Student and FIRST Robotics FRC TEAM 66 member

I remember being an 8th grader, not being proficient in science and math. Now I am an outstanding student that has applied herself well. as an English as a second language and female minority student. I have and am achieving in my curriculum. I am an outgoing, enthusiastic person with great charisma due to the effect of FIRST. I have been able to step out of the box and out of my shell. I am not shy anymore, I love speaking in front of people and causing a reaction and inspiration in them. I would say I am a good public speaker, because I am used to speaking in front of company/business/ and local people about FIRST.

Erin Howarth

Tutor, Mentor, and Trainer with Washtenaw Literacy (volunteer) Publisher, Wilderness Adventure Books

I’ve been an adult literacy tutor since 1990 and a Tutor Mentor with Washtenaw Literacy since 2000. Both roles allow me to help adults reach their personal goals through individualized instruction and problem-solving. I’m also a tutor trainer with Washtenaw Literacy and between training and specialized workshops, have trained hundreds of tutors. Since 2010 I’ve been a trainer for the Learning to Achieve program (started through the National Institute for Literacy; now run through the U.S. Dept of Education), offering training on working with adults with learning disabilities to tutors throughout the Great Lakes region.

John Barrie

Executive Director, The Appropriate Technology Collaborative

I am the Founder and Executive Director of The Appropriate Technology Collaborative (ATC), a nonprofit organization whose purpose is to design, develop, demonstrate and distribute new technologies that improve the quality of life for low income people worldwide. I work to inspire students, volunteers, professionals and local community members, people from many different walks of life, to work together, sharing their diverse insights, skills and talents to create technologies that are culturally sensitive, environmentally responsible and locally repairable in order to empower people and create opportunity. I have worked with hundreds of volunteers. Together we have created an open-source design library that has clients in 43 countries. ATC is a powerful force for good in the world through the synergy of collaborative international problem solving. We bring integrity and creative brilliance to the challenges of sustainable, respectful, international development.

Keith Jason

Coordinator of Student Services, EMU College of Technology

I'm a committed servant to the Ypsilanti community. I have spent many hours at EMU and in the community working with teens and young adults on building character and finding non-violent solutions.

Michael Beasley

User Experience Architect, ITHAKA

I have been a resident of Ypsilanti Township for over six years and am greatly interested in increasing my participation in the community. I am passionate about libraries and about my profession and user experience design. I studied this topic at a graduate level and have worked in this field for the past eleven years. In addition, I have had articles and a book published in my field and have spoken at numerous conferences on topics related to user experience and accessibility.

Sahithya Reddivari

Graduate Society of Women Engineers, University of Michigan

Key player in the development of the Graduate Society of Women Engineers, University of Michigan's work to create student-led global partnerships that empower women studying engineering, and to be leaders in developing SWE international student initiatives. I have been working in Liberia every summer since 2012. I am a PhD student at the University of Michigan (will graduate in April 2016).

Susan Santone

Executive Director, Creative Change Educational Solutions Adjunct Instructor in Teacher Education, Eastern Michigan University

Susan Santone is the Director of Creative Change Educational Solutions, a non-profit organization helping schools and universities transform curriculum to prepare all learners for a changing future. Through Creative Change, she has led multiple curriculum reform and teacher education initiatives with clients ranging from Big Ten universities to the United Nations. She has published and presents nationally on curriculum design and educational policy. She is also an adjunct instructor in Teacher Education at Eastern Michigan University. She earned teacher certificates in social studies, music, and Teaching English as a Second Language; and has a Master's degree in Intercultural and International Management from the SIT Graduate Institute in Brattleboro, Vermont.