Aga Chojnacka-Al Atat

Activist, Connector, Consultant, Designer, Educator/Teacher, Idea generator

Aga Chojnacka-Al Atat is a leader of learning, maker, play advocate and SDGs goalkeeper. She holds a B.A. in Teaching English to Young Learners and a Masters degree in Applied Linguistics - Teaching and Translation. Throughout her professional life, she has worked across Europe and Asia as a PYP Teacher (21 years), curriculum director and coordinator (14 years), professional learning coach, maker space facilitator, IB workshop leader, and consultant (9years). In her life and work, Aga is driven by values of courage and kindness. Aga is an expert in alternative education, a trainer and consultant of the International Baccalaureate Organization and the mother-founder of the 3 Alternatives - Kindness, Curiosity and Creativity - Foundation. The Foundation supports children, parents and teachers in building relationships, programs and spaces based on these values. Privately, Aga is the mother of two amazing girls: Nina and Zoja, the caring guardian of the dachshund Gusio, and the daughter of the world's most gentle teacher, Ania. Aga loves books, tea and long walks. Aga and her family are currently based in Kuala Lumpur Malaysia where they are a part of the IGB International School community of learners.

I dream of and believe in a world where all people have freedom, joy and agency to learn and grow - A World where the values of kindness, curiosity and creativity are shared by all. To that end, I inspire and motivate people, and communities to cultivate kindness, curiosity and creativity towards themselves, others and our planet. I design experiences, environments and tools that support education that places human rights, needs and potential at its very centre.

We all come to this world with our unique identities, talents and potentials. If the world welcomes us with equitable rights and looks after us and our needs - we will be able to fully live into our gifts and give back in kind to the world.

agency by design, coaching, design, edu design, education, futurist design, harnessing AI potential for human centred EDU solutions, inquiry based learning, leading learning, learning environments, making, making learning visible, play, schoolpunk, universal design, values driven community design and leadership

I've been following TED talks since I first used them in my parent and teacher workshops about play and creativity, back in 2008. I still remember playing Sir Ken Robinson's TED talk for the first time and feeling grateful for being able to access it with our parents in Poland and then in my new communities in China and Malaysia. After hosting many TED-like events for teachers and students, I finally decided this year to host a TEDxYouth to celebrate our amazing young activists and innovators. I know it's not the pinnacle of my TED journey but just a brave new beginning.

turning trash into treasure, and creating beautiful spaces that spark wonder, joy and learning at a zero budget