Annie Makela

Athlete, Brainstormer, Concerned citizen, Connector, Educator/Teacher, Entrepreneur, Explorer, Foodie, Idea generator, Startup

education, health, environmental conservation, banning "ugly" and "fat" from vocabulary, animal rights, local food, connecting the right people to do the right things.

Ask children what they are wondering, every day, many times a day. Instead of worksheets for homework, have a Wonder Journal. Giving young minds the chance to articulate the stories and questions in their minds as a way to navigate their thoughts, that is to educate both the soul and the mind.

I first hear about TED when I became a fan of Sir Ken Robinson. Shortly after, my good friend Cloe Shasha brought TED to Middlebury and my life has been forever changed for the better. I co-organized the 2nd TEDxMiddlebury in 2011. I attended TEDxSummit in Doha, Qatar in 2012 and finally am organizing a TEDx youth event, TEDxGCDS, at Greenwich Country Day School where I teach 2nd grade. TED has been referred to as my imaginary boyfriend by my roommates, my creative outlet by collegues, and a lifestyle change by my parents. However, for me, it is the consistent push I need to see and understand that which I do not know...yet.

connecting the right people, road trips, board games, bedtime adventure stories...