Be the One to Make It Happen: Nancy Shugart at TEDxTexasTechUniversity

At age 8, Nancy went blind and the word impossible became a word she heard often. It had been her dream since kindergarten to teach in the public schools, but so often she was told she could never make that dream a reality. Often, she came close to giving up -- nearly dropping out of high school. But she persevered. Then she did something no one else in her family had ever done -- she went to college. It was difficult, and in her junior year, she again thought of giving up. Instead, she persevered. In 1980, she earned her Bachelor's Degree and Texas Teaching Certificate. She went on to earn a Master's Degree as well. She taught for 21 years in the Austin Independent School district, became an award-winning author, professional speaker, trainer, successful business owner and recognized community volunteer, even receiving five appointments from two Texas Governors. Because she persevered. She shares her personal story, filled with passion and humor, to reveal not only how she achieved what was impossible but how her audience can too. Her mission is to stop the quitting, because if everyone's dream of making the world a better place came true, how many problems would there be left to solve?

In the spirit of ideas worth spreading, TEDx is a program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience. At a TEDx event, TEDTalks video and live speakers combine to spark deep discussion and connection in a small group. These local, self-organized events are branded TEDx, where x = independently organized TED event. The TED Conference provides general guidance for the TEDx program, but individual TEDx events are self-organized.* (*Subject to certain rules and regulations)