Bhavish Arunkumar explores how cultural background and personal beliefs interact to form a unique identity. He reflects on balancing tradition with individuality. His message urges respect for one's roots while embracing personal freedom. Hello, my name is Bhavish Arunkumar and I am from India. I am 13 years old and I am currently in Year 8 studying in Yasmina British Academy. My interests are Music and more specifically singing and piano. I also performed in the ‘Zayed award for Human Fretenity ceremony’ which was an awesome experience. I also like sports such as Swimming and Basketball etc. My most favorites subjects are Science and Music as they are very interesting and you get to learn a lot from them. According to Public Speaking, my biggest accomplishment is presenting a speech at my last school for the ‘National Inter-School Public Speaking competition’ with my two other friends. We got 2nd place for the school and as an overall, I got the ‘Best Speaker’ award. This really increased my confidence in terms of presenting in front of people. 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

Arjun Sabherwal takes a unique perspective on identity by examining it through the lens of economics. He draws parallels between personal branding, social value, and decision-making. This thought-provoking talk links identity with modern societal systems. I’ve chosen the topic “Who am I really? How do we define our true selves amidst societal, familial, and cultural expectations?” because it reflects a deeply personal and globally relevant question, and it connects identity with the pressures of conformity in an increasingly changing and evolving world. As a student of business and behavioral economics, I intend to explore how our decisions about who we become are often shaped by invisible influences, from culture and tradition to society and social norms..To incorporate the UAE National Identity, I emphasize the importance of family, community, and the value of self-discipline, virtues that are deeply embedded within Emirati culture and resonate with my own experiences living in the UAE for most of my life. On the day of the event, I’ll be bringing my mother, father, and sister, if that would be alright. 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

What is Social Emotional Learning (SEL)? What are the impacts on learning? I am enrolled in the teachers education program with a goal of completing my bachelors in education. I currently work as a substitute teacher. I like the new methods of teaching as well as the old and look forward to applying them in the classroom. 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

Teaching is more than just a job and teaching children math and reading skills. It is building a connection and bond with the children that feel safe and loved.  Larissa is a one-on-one paraprofessional at the Stewartstown Elementary school helping students with their behaviors and growing into themselves. Larissa has been working as a para for two years and giving the children the love and support they need in order to grow into amazing adults and always aiming for them to chase their dreams and goals. 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

Gavin briefly shares the potential impacts on a child experiencing an absent father figure while growing up. Gavin is a paraprofessional working within the public school system. He specializes in providing supplementary instruction and academic aid to students needing support. 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

Everyone wishes to be creative, a person who can solve any problem, a pseudo-engineer of sorts. But what can help someone develop these desirable qualities that will benefit people of all ages and walks of life? In my talk, I wanted to explore how comfort makes people less creative and innovative, so that people and their communities (whether work or general) can become the best versions of themselves through innovation. I’m Zorik Petrow, and I became an “engineer” from a very early age: after I took apart too many toys for my parents to replenish, they gave me new ones like Legos, train tracks, and hydraulic sets. I could build, take apart, and think up anything I wanted to. That forged my love for building, designing, and implementing solutions (not just out of Legos anymore), which I carry on to this day. 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