Timothy Couillard

Brainstormer, Educator/Teacher, Explorer, Scientist, Student, World traveler

I am an introverted adventurous soul trying holding on to wonder, curiosity, and optimism for dear life against the rising tide of cynicism and nihilism. I enjoy thinking creatively, imagining and experimenting with new ways to do old things. I live very much in the present and sometimes lose track of time. I believe my mission in life is to make education better than it is and to help the students around me do great things. As a lifelong educator, I have worked to expand the opportunity to learn Physics as a science accessible to all students. I have taught all levels of Physics from a Conceptual Physics course, to Advanced Placement Physics, to an Honors-level experimental course call, Game Lab Physics. My professional development pursuits range from the accessibility of pedagogies like Arizona State’s Modeling Instruction, to the annual Science and Engineering Program for Teachers hosted by MIT and American Association of Physics Teachers (AAPT) Physics Teacher Camp in 2018. I also teach an elective leadership course on Ethics and Critical Thinking. In this course,students learn an introduction to moral philosophy, conduct moral inquiry using ethical dilemmas and simulate ethical decision making through role playing games like Dungeons and Dragons. I coach our school’s ethics bowl team as we compete each year in the Virginia and National High School Ethics Bowl. I am passionate about providing students with the means to amplify their voice and I have done so through my engagement with the TED, by organizing TEDx events, and leading our Student Voice project through TED Ed. I live and work in Midlothian, Virginia with the love of my wife, Allison and our dog, Sheldon.

Physics Teaching and STEM Education, Teaching Ethics, Creating TEDx and TED Ed experiences,Learning more about Design Thinking and Design Learning, Playing/Designing Games and Other Creative Experiences, Exploring Food and Drink.

"Be a spark and glow a while... You'll be dead a long, long time... Be a supernova... Light the night... And make us stand in awe." --Bob Geldof Share yourself with others now. Don't wait. Be more vulnerable. You have no idea how much of a positive impact you have on those around you.

BBQ, Cooking, Educational Technology, Games, Physics Education, Science, TED Ed Clubs, TEDx

Beginning in 2009, I took students to TEDxNASA (Newport News, VA), TEDxTeen (NYC), and TEDxMidAtlantic (Washington DC). We've been involved with building our local TEDx community and now TED Ed ever since. Attended the TEDxSummit in Doha, Qatar in the spring of 2012. Met incredible TEDxers who inspire me to this day. In 2010, my students created our TEDxYouth event, TEDxYouth@JamesRiverRoad. Since then we have become part of the TEDxRVA community led by Andy Stefanovich including TEDxYouth@RVA and TEDxRVAWomen. In 2013, we joined the TED Ed Club program. Each spring my students are challenged to develop their own TED Ed talks and the resulting creative experience is one of the best things I've seen in my 20 years of being a teacher. Cheers TED!

Making red beans and rice, playing table top games, and not being an astronaut.