What is a TedX talk? 

​TEDx is a grassroots initiative, created in the spirit of TED’s overall mission to research and discover “ideas worth spreading.” TEDx brings the spirit of TED to local communities around the globe through TEDx events. These events are organized by passionate individuals who seek to uncover new ideas and to share the latest research in their local areas that spark conversations in their communities. TEDx events include live speakers and recorded TED Talks, and are organized independently under a free license granted by TED. These events are not controlled by TED, but event organizers agree to abide by our format, and are offered guidelines for curation, speaker coaching, event organizing and more. They learn from us and from each other. More than 3000 events are now held annually. 

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Life After Academia 

​I was quite young when I became a college professor. I worked hard, I did so much research, and threw myself into my student's success. I loved being a professor. The year I was up for tenure, I spent months putting together what I thought was a super impressive set of binders detailing my every accomplishment since stepping into that Ivory Tower. I remember so vividly the day I was called into the chair's office and I thought it was the conversation about what happens post-tenure. Instead he told me I wasn't getting tenure because the other faculty members didn't think I was "collegial" enough. I was crushed and lost. But, I made a pivot and the rest, well it's still being written. 

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I was quite young when I became a college professor. I poured myself into research and my students’ success. I LOVED being a professor. The year I went up for tenure, I spent months compiling what I believed was an impressive set of binders recording my achievements. I vividly remember the day I was called into the department chair’s office—I expected a conversation about life post-tenure. Instead, I was told I wouldn’t be granted tenure because other faculty members felt I wasn’t “collegial” enough. The following months were devastating. I was crushed and lost. But I made a pivot and the rest, well that part is still being written. 

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You can watch my TedX talk (organized by one of my students!) here.