Drawing on his own journey from anime fan to professor, Mat showcases innovative teaching methods that use anime to boost student engagement and creativity. Discover how anime becomes a dynamic tool for critical thinking and multimodal expression in the college writing classroom. Mat Siegel is a passionate educator dedicated to enhancing his pedagogy and inspiring lifelong learners. Raised in Monmouth County, he earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Monmouth University and teaches English at Brookdale and Middlesex College. His courses include World Literature, Mythology in Literature, and Freshman Composition. Mat recently completed a second master’s in English Composition and Rhetoric from the University of Texas at Tyler, focusing on Anime Pedagogy.A lifelong anime enthusiast, Mat integrates anime into teaching as a contemporary, engaging tool. He believes anime fosters student creativity and voice. By leveraging anime’s multimodal nature, he equips students with transferable skills.Beyond education, Mat is a published Frankenstein scholar and a dedicated martial artist, training in karate for over two decades. He credits his instructors for shaping his character and considers martial arts integral to his life. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx

Laura’s compelling narrative intertwines loss, healing, and the awe of natural encounters. Explore how profound moments with nature and people inspire hope and foster a deeper understanding of life’s mysteries. A veteran educator with 25 years of teaching experience, Laura is a full professor of English at Brookdale Community College and has taught at Stockton and Ramapo. Specializing in trauma-informed, emotionally literate curricula, she emphasizes intra- and interpersonal development to help students find meaning and purpose. Her teaching spans writing, research, critical theory, and creative writing, focusing on self-discovery through language.An inaugural fellow in Brookdale’s Center for Transformative Learning, she founded CONNECTIONS, a peer support network for educators. A candidate for the Doctorate in Medical Humanities at Drew University, her research explores care ethics and inherited trauma.Her poetry collections include The Resurrection Jar, Women & Other Hostages, and The Wild Night Dress. A three-time NJ State Arts Council Fellow, she has received fellowships from Bread Loaf and Virginia Center for the Arts. She also edited A Sense of Regard and The Room and the World. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx