About Eli 

• What’s your current role or area of work?

  • Teacher/Instructor, HS English & College Public Speaking

• ​Who is someone you admire?

  • Bryan Stevenson. His work at the Equal Justice Initiative is truly transformative, in a system that rarely sees transformational change. He has built a reputation for speaking truth to power, regardless of the title before or after someone's name. His passion is helping people, not making a name for himself or other benefits.

• What’s one book, film or podcast that has shaped your perspective?

  • Movie: Finding Forrester

• What inspired you to be part of TEDxKU?

  • Lawrence is the one true beacon of progress in this state, so it was only fitting that the TEDxKU series was a place for me to speak on ideas that challenge us to make change, specifically in the world of Education.

• What’s your personal motto or favorite quote?

  • "I've always thought, 'if you want somebody different, choose someone else!'" -Melissa McCarthy