“Hope and the capacity to dream of a world beyond the present has always been at the heart of social justice movements. Hope, in and of itself, is an important form of resistance, both political and personal, and reaffirms what is possible, and worth fighting for” (Ginwright, 2015). 

Dr. Shawn Ginwright’s call to action is both a grounding and guiding message for navigating education. In an era where 44% of K-12 teachers report feeling burned out and educational challenges continue to mount, the 2025 AETA conference theme reflects an urgent need to reimagine teaching practices. Restorative English Education offers a revitalizing approach to student learning and cultivating authentic classroom communities, and sustainable teaching methods are increasingly vital for both educator contentment and longevity in our profession. This conference aims to equip educators with practical tools and innovative strategies that position hope as resistance, support teacher well-being, and create lasting and healing change.