TEDxWMCC

Speakers

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

• Aimee Lavoie

  Paraeducator

  Aimee knows firsthand that traditional education isn’t one-size-fits-all. A former high school dropout who went on to excel in higher education, they experienced directly how evolving teaching methods can transform a student's trajectory. Now in their fifth year as a high school para-educator and completing their teaching degree, Aimee advocates for arts integration as a necessity, not a luxury. They believe that in an increasingly AI-driven world, infusing creativity into core subjects isn't just an add-on—it is the ultimate vehicle for teaching the irreplaceable human skills that the future demands.

• Brooke D.

  Student Wellness Paraprofessional

  My name is Brooke, and I am a Student Wellness Paraprofessional in a local school district, working with students in grades K–8. I am deeply passionate about building meaningful connections with students and exploring how these relationships positively impact classroom environments and behavior. As a Registered Behavior Technician, I bring specialized knowledge in supporting student needs, and I have also learned Braille to better serve students with visual impairments. My work is driven by the belief that strong student connections are at the heart of effective classroom management and student success.

• Cristina D.

  Mom / Infant Teacher

  My name is Cristina, and I am an infant teacher at Lincoln Woodstock Community Childcare Center. I have been working here for 2 1/2 years, and I absolutely love it! I have a 4 year old son who also goes to the center. I am very grateful to be able to see him throughout the day. My dream early childhood job is to eventually become the director at our center and stay the infant teacher. I am also a mom who sees kids everyday who are glued to screens and look to support others in reducing this screen time.

• Diane Bowman

  Title One Kindergarten Teacher

  My name is Diane Bowman, and I am currently enrolled in the teacher education program at WMCC, with plans to continue my studies at PSU. My goal is to earn my bachelor’s degree and lead a classroom of my own. I currently work in an elementary school as a Title I teacher for kindergarten, and I have spent over 26 years in the field of education—an experience I truly cherish. While I enjoy working with students of all ages, I have a special passion for supporting younger learners as they begin their educational journey. Outside of the classroom, I am a proud mother of two grown daughters and a grandmother to one grandson. I am happily married and share my home with three cats and two dogs. Becoming a classroom teacher has been a dream of mine since high school, and I am excited to take the next steps toward making that dream a reality.

• Hannah Haynes

  Paraprofessional

  My name is Hannah Haynes and I am currently a paraprofessional working toward my dream of becoming a teacher. My work as a paraprofessional and getting to work side-by-side with students to support their academic and personal growth has allowed me to see the quiet struggles students face that can go unnoticed. Moments when student mindset block success as much as it shapes it. What began as a daily effort to inspire and encourage a few students turned into a greater mission; exploring the benefits of helping others make even the tiniest positive shifts in mindsets and sharing the knowledge that the way we perceive ourselves, learning, challenges, and successes can change everything.

• Jamie-Lee Uran

  Paraprofessional

  My name is Jamie-Lee Uran and I have been working as a paraprofessional for the past 7 years. I work with students 1-on-1 in elementary classrooms. I am currently working towards earning my teaching degree. From a young age I have always known working with children was my specialty and I want to bring that dream to life. My goal is to become a Preschool or Kindergarten teacher. I’ve always found the importance in teaching young minds what they need to know to succeed and having fun watching them learn and grow along the way. There is always such joy watching students learn something new and how excited they become when that goal they have been working towards is achieved.

• Josh Wheelock

  Student/Coach

  My name is Josh and for the past five years I have worked within the school system working at the elementary level and as a substitute PE teacher. I am also a former student athlete and have coached sports teams at the junior high level. As of recently I have begun to work towards obtaining a teaching degree with the hopes of becoming a PE teacher.

• Kari Hickey

  Paraprofessional

  For 20 years, I owned and operated a home childcare program, where I had the privilege of supporting children and families during their earliest and most formative years. In 2009, I was honored as New Hampshire Childcare Provider of the Year, but the real reward was building lasting relationships that helped children grow with confidence and security. I am also the mother of 16-year-old quadruplets. Raising four children the same age has given me a profound appreciation for individuality. It has taught me that no two learners are the same, even when their journeys begin side by side. These experiences have shaped my purpose. I am passionate about building strong, authentic connections between students, educators, and families because I have seen firsthand that when students feel valued, they are more willing to take risks, engage deeply, and believe in their own potential.

• Katrina W.

  Educator

  I have spent over than half my life caring for children. It is the most fulfilling job I could have asked for. I aim to help children reach their full potential, become life long learners, and become productive members of society with integrity.

• Kiera Mortensen

  Paraprofessional

  Kiera Mortensen is a college student studying Early Childhood Education and currently works as a paraprofessional in an elementary school classroom. She has experience working with young children in both school and Head Start settings, supporting students with a range of learning and behavioral needs. Kiera is especially interested in social-emotional development and how factors like anxiety impact children’s learning and behavior. Through her work, she focuses on creating supportive classroom environments and helping children feel safe, confident, and ready to learn.

• Kolonie Hudson

  Head Teacher of PreK-4th Grade @ Landaff Blue School

  I am an elementary school teacher dedicated to creating learning environments where all students feel empowered to be their best selves and achieve success. I currently serve as Acting Head Teacher for PreK through 4th grade at Landaff Blue School, one of the last remaining one-room schoolhouses in New Hampshire. Throughout my teaching career, one truth has remained constant: no two students are the same. To teach effectively, we must make a genuine effort to understand each learner—their strengths, challenges, and the unique ways their minds work. Designing classrooms with distracted minds in mind benefits all students, but it is especially impactful for those who experience attention challenges. As someone who was not diagnosed with ADHD until adulthood, I spent much of my childhood trying to understand my own brain. That experience now fuels my passion for helping educators better support students with similar experiences.