Brave: Michael Hakkarinen at TEDxCSDTeachers

Educators have chosen the profession of preparing today's children to be tomorrow's adults. We must do so in a way that prepares them for their unimaginable future and not our rapidly changing present. If we fear the changes brought on by technology, and refuse to participate in the new reality constructed through social media, then we are perpetuating a self-prophesizing doom. Our students deserve more, and we must deliver with bravery. Michael Hakkarinen is an Educational Technology Specialist for Canyons School District, Sandy, Utah.

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)