TEDxTustin

Speakers

Speakers may not be confirmed. Check the event website for the latest lineup.

• Archana Jain

  Archana Jain is a retired math and engineering educator with 20 years in the Irvine Unified School District and a decade in private and government defense sectors. She holds a bachelor’s in Aerospace Engineering from the University of Maryland, along with Mathematics and Career Technical Education teaching credentials from California State University, Fullerton. At Irvine High School, she founded the Irvine Technology and Engineering Center to bring together four engineering courses and a wide range of extracurricular STEM activities she mentored. Dedicated to inspiring students to pursue STEM careers—particularly women and underrepresented populations—Archana’s impact has been widely recognized. She was named Irvine Unified School District’s 2018 High School Teacher of the Year, one of Orange County’s 2019 Teachers of the Year, and among the Orange County Register’s 100 Most Influential Game Changers.

• James Lincoln

  James Lincoln is an award-winning physics educator, science communicator, and curriculum developer whose work has inspired countless students and teachers across the country. With over two decades of classroom experience, he has become known for transforming complex physics concepts into accessible, engaging demonstrations that spark curiosity and wonder. He serves as the Education Director of the American Association of Physics Teachers (AAPT) Films Project, creating widely viewed instructional videos that have reached millions of learners worldwide. His passion for science outreach extends beyond the classroom, he is a staff-writer written for The Physics Teacher journal, has presented at national conferences, and has trained other educators in bringing creativity and clarity to STEM education. Whether in the classroom, on stage, or through media, his mission is simple: to make physics not only understandable, but unforgettable.

• Kimberly Saguilan

  Dr. Saguilan is an instructional leader, author, and entrepreneur with 15+ years of experience transforming schools and advancing equity in education. She earned her doctorate at the University of Southern California and serves as an adjunct professor at USC Rossier, mentoring future educators. As founder of Komir Minds, she leads an innovative consulting firm partnering with districts and schools nationwide to design and deliver culturally responsive, standards-aligned professional development, leadership coaching, curriculum design, and system-wide tools such as multilingual learner frameworks and school snapshot reports. A passionate advocate for multilingual learners, Dr. Saguilan is also expanding into publishing to amplify educator voices and create culturally sustaining resources. Whether coaching leaders, facilitating PD, or writing, her mission remains clear: to equip educators with the tools, strategies, and mindset to transform teaching and learning for every student.

• Shilby Sims

  Dr. Shilby Sims is a California native and proud graduate of Los Angeles Unified School District, K–12, in South Central Los Angeles. Now a principal in LAUSD, she leads a school recognized for innovation and a vibrant culture of learning. A champion for equity, she unapologetically calls attention to disparities facing students of color and the digital divide. As part of LAUSD’s 1:1 student–technology initiative, Dr. Sims has pioneered strategies to inspire students through edTech—boosting attendance, reducing suspensions, streamlining administrative workflows, and empowering parents through technology workshops. Her collaborative partnerships with businesses give students a stronger sense of place, purpose, and promise in the tech-driven world. A USC doctorate holder, she also serves as an edTech professional developer, motivational speaker, and educational consultant, continuing to expand opportunities for students and educators alike.

• Tim Twombly

  Tim Twombly is the son and grandson of ever-struggling citrus ranchers who both graduated from Stanford. At sixteen, Capitol Records signed him as a rock-and-roll prodigy, though the label’s optimism proved misplaced. He later attended college on a scholarship from the Daughters of the American Revolution, only to find himself working with the family of civil rights leader Medgar Evers. For forty-six years, Tim has practiced chiropractic—fielding the eternal question, “Does that stuff really work?” He’s married to the beautiful and talented Jacquie, who, he jokes, still doesn’t know what she’s gotten herself into. In recent years, Tim has returned to music, releasing three singer-songwriter albums and several videos, while also turning to fiction. His two novels, A Bonafide Detective and Road to Eden, are both available on Amazon, reflecting his lifelong pursuit of creativity and storytelling across disciplines.