Tim Leistikow

Educator/Teacher, Student

My favorite thing in the world is working with a group of passionate people who have a common goal- whether it was theater and show choir when I was in school myself, playing pick-up basketball (most of the time poorly), gathering together with friends and family for a good meal and conversation, or working with other educators. For the past 12 years, I have had the pleasure of teaching at an IB World School- Fridley High School. Without a doubt, I have the best job in the world. Both the students and staff inspire me and challenge me to constantly improve my craft through reflection and collaboration. In addition to teaching IB Language and Literature (English) and Theory of Knowledge, I am a consultant for The Center for Culturally and Linguistically Responsive Teaching and Learning (CLR), which means I have the privilege of working with teachers who are passionate about validating and affirming all learners in order to build them toward academic success- www.culturallyresponsive.org. I am so lucky to serve as the Performing Arts Advisor at Fridley High School, which means I get to hang out with some insanely talented students and adults who are passionate about the arts.

Education Theater Basketball Food

The Barbershop of Ideas

Like many people, my first TEDtalk was Ken Robinson's "How Schools Kill Creativity" back in 2009. After digging into Ken Robinson, I started consuming TEDtalks and using them in my classroom, especially in my IB Theory of Knowledge class. In 2013, the school I work at hosted a TEDxFridley with mostly students as speakers. One of my favorite people in the world Kathy Kraemer, who is the Instructional Technology Coordinator for out district, said let's start a TEDEd Club. We did and used my Theory of Knowledge class as the jumping off point. We have done three cycles and it gets better every time. In 2015, Kathy and I co-organized another TEDxFridley that was aimed at the community but did have a student speaker from one of our TEDEd clubs. The coolest thing of all is that another TEDEd club student will be speaking at TEDEd Weekend in December 2016. It is really cool all of the stuff TEDEd has allowed me and my students to do, and I am looking forward to doing much more.

Ironing