Two years ago, Trevor Muir, a storyteller, spoken-word poet and teacher at Kent Innovation High School was a speaker at the 2014 TEDxSanAntonio event. But what’s he up to now? Check out below!
What was your experience like working with a curator?
Trevor Muir: I had a wonderful experience working with Judy Cotter. From the outset she made it clear to me that her role in the experience would be to make me feel as comfortable as possible and ensure my talk would be as strong as I could make it. She also made it clear that she would not at any point BS me, and would always give me honest critical feedback. This was particularly my favorite part of having a curator. My 17-minute talk took hundreds of hours to write and memorize, and to have someone with an outside perspective look in and provide their wisdom and advice without any flattery was an immense help. Judy helped me focus, shape, and deliver my best work.
What first brought you to TEDxSanAntonio?
TM: I was browsing the Internet one day for different TED Talks regarding education, and noticed there were not any specifically addressing the subject I work in and am passionate about—authentic and project based learning. So I searched for an avenue to talk about this, and stumbled across TEDxSanAntonio’s submission process.
What tips do you have for future speakers?
TM: First, I would say put every ounce of passion and energy into your presentation. There is a temptation when you get up in front of a thousand people (and who knows how many more on the Internet) to tense up and not deliver your talk with excitement. But the crowd wants your energy, your passion, and your enthusiasm. So give it to them and help them understand why your topic means so much to you.
I think the best way to deliver your content with passion and a sense of ease is to memorize EVERY SINGLE WORD of your talk. If you can memorize all of it, you can focus more on your delivery when giving your talk, and less on getting lost or missing something important. Memorizing takes a ton of work and can make your family very sick of you after a while, but it also sets you up to give your very best talk.
What’s your favorite TEDtalk?
TM: Sarah Kay’s “If I Should Have a Daughter.” I love her injection of spoken word poetry into a TED talk.
How has your life changed since doing your TEDxSanAntonio talk?
TM: My talk has given me a great deal of exposure in my profession. Since I gave my talk, the video has been forwarded around to several thousand educators, and has led to me giving talks in many different venues. I have been refining my material, writing more talks, and sharing my passion for authentic education with more and more people.
Please provide a favorite quote from your own talk:
TM: “This system is not a machine that cannot be fixed. It’s made of people—warm-blooded humans who all at one point felt what it means to be inspired.”
Where/how can we keep up with you now? What projects, etc. are you working on now?
TM: You can go to my website where I blog regularly about education and life. I also have a storytelling podcast on iTunes called Stories from School. On that show, people from all walks of life share stories from their school experiences—stories you will probably be able to relate to. I am also in the process of finishing up a book about a teaching method I’ve been developing called Epic Learning. Essentially, how can we teach using the power of story? It will be out in the coming year.
For more from Trevor Muir
Website: trevormuir.com
Twitter: @TrevorMuir
iTunes Podcast: Stories from School
Watch Trevor’s TEDxSanAntonio talk School Should Take Place In The Real World from the 2014 Ideas In Action event.
Join the TEDxSanAntonio community and previous speakers at this November’s Now You Know event. Buy your tickets online now. >>>>>> tedxsanantonio.com/2016-fall-speakers/