Plenary: Hope is the Hub
Dr. Daniel Alston, Dr. Joel Amidon, & Dr. Bertha Hidalgo
The success of the team means the success of the individual, but the success of the individual does not necessarily mean the success of the team (paraphrased from Hope for Cynics). Drawing inspiration from Hope for Cynics, this panel explores hope not as blind optimism, but as an intentional, evidence‑informed practice grounded in relationships, struggle, and collective growth. Panelists from mathematics education, science education, and epidemiology will share how hope can be cultivated through data, dialogue, and presence. Through personal examples, the panel highlights how perseverance, autonomy, and belonging can coexist in learning spaces. Aligned with the conference theme, this conversation invites participants to lean into discomfort, celebrate struggle, and view education as a shared effort toward a more just and informed future. Together, we will consider how educators can remain present and purposeful while fostering a sense of community that sustains hope, even amid the challenges we face in
our current global climate.
Dr. Daniel Alston, University of North Carolina at Charlotte (Left)
Dr. Joel Amidon, University of Mississippi (Center)
Dr. Bertha Hidalgo, University of Alabama at Birmingham (Right)
