Theme: A Higher Purpose than Self

TEDx Tampa Prep took place Saturday, February 22, 2020, at Tampa Preparatory School in the Smith Blackbox Theater from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. The theme for this student-run event was Tampa Prep's mission of "A Higher Purpose than Self."

Black Box Theater
727 W Cass St
Tampa, Florida, 33606
United States

Dorian Connors

Talk: Higher purpose than self starts with self

A junior at Tampa Prep, Dorian is enjoying her first year as a Terrapin. Dorian was born and raised in Kansas, and moved to Florida nine years ago. She is an outstanding student with an avid interest in history, writing, and literary analysis. Dorian is passionate about performing arts, and has been engaged in vocal, acting, and dance training and performance for many years. The favorite character she portrayed is the Witch in a production of Steven Sondheim’s, Into the Woods. Dorian is excited to be a part of Tampa Prep’s first TedX event and is honored to share in exploring the impact of Prep’s “Higher Purpose Than Self”. Dorian believes the fundamental step to seeking such higher purpose is to know and be comfortable with oneself.

Ella Cimino

Talk: Have you really done your research? If not, your pets are in danger.

I am a Sophomore at Tampa Prep. Ever since I was a little kid I have been drawn too and fascinated by animals. Instead of going to Disney and playing with dolls, I went to the zoo and played with Animal Rescuer action figures. I have been helping out at rescue events and studying animal care and behavior for over 6 years. I currently own 5 pets and am determined to help other pet owners become smarter pet consumers and understand the dangers their pets might be in.

Kevin Plummer

Talk: Communication: lines I love and lines that just don't measure up!

Kevin Plummer became the seventh Head of Tampa Preparatory School in July 2007. Kevin's roots go deeply into the Tampa community where he serves on the Executive Steering Committee of the Friends of the Riverwalk, Vice Chairman of the Tampa Downtown Partnership, Moffitt Hospital Board of Directors, Executive Advisory Council for Muma College of Business (USF), the Creative Tampa Bay Board and has been a trustee for the George Steinbrenner Boys and Girls Club. He is a 1989 graduate of Colby College where he was named a Lacrosse All-American. Kevin was awarded the highly competitive and prestigious Klingenstein Fellowship at the Teachers College of Columbia University where he received a Master of Education Administration in 1999. Kevin and Jennifer have a daughter, Galen Grace.

Laura Bridges-Pereira

Talk: 4 Lauras: Finding yourselves through language

I am a teacher at Tampa Prep, where I teach Spanish and French, and coordinate the Global Studies concentration. I knew I wanted to become a teacher in 2001 when I was living in France working as an English assistant at a French high school. More importantly, I knew that I wanted to be a teacher that made learning a language a cultural experience and not a memorization chore. Since 2001, I have been teaching either in a school, home, center, community college or at a university in France, Portugal or the United States. Through all these experiences I have noticed a common thread: all students learn through risk taking and being engaged in what they are learning. It is with these principles in mind; cultural experiences, risk-taking opportunities and opportunity for engagement, that I create my lessons and conduct my classes. I continue not only to perfect my Spanish, French & Portuguese, but to learn more languages and continue to gain perspectives into the student learning experience.

Mia Franz

Talk: Letting the Light in

Mia Franz is a teacher, writer, yoga instructor, and fan of TED talks. At Tampa Prep, she currently teaches AP Language as well as English 12 Honors, including such electives as creative writing, "For the Love of Graphic Novels", and "Frankenstein and the Modern Vampire." She earned her B.A. from the University of Virginia as one of the first graduating members of the Area Program in Poetry Writing, and then her M.F.A. in creative writing from Indiana University. She has been a full-time high school teacher for 11 years, and she loves sharing her own love of language, books, and thinking with her students. She lives in Tampa with her husband and two children.

Samuel Alvarez

Talk: Gratitude

My name’s Samuel Alvarez. I was born in Tampa, Florida to two Colombian immigrants and I live in Temple Terrace with them and my younger brother. I am currently attending Tampa Preparatory School as a senior and I would love to Major in Biomedical Sciences.

Sarah Johnson

Talk: Why teach?

In school, Sarah Riggs Johnson thought she might become a writer or a scientist. After earning a B.S. and an M.A. in Communication Sciences and Disorders with a concentration in the clinical remediation of Learning Disabilities from Northwestern University, she decided to leave the clinical setting, and teach in a school. She taught in independent schools in Chicago for 10 years during which her interest in "all things education" only intensified. In 2014, she worked hard to become a National Board for Professional Teaching Standards Certified Teacher. She's passionate about helping students to maximize their potential, recognize their strengths, and find success at school. Sarah tries to foster school cultures that normalize and celebrate differences in the way that people think and learn. She is currently a faculty member at Tampa Preparatory School. You can also find her reading, visiting the beach and her husband’s native Scotland, and playing with her goofy kids and her dog.