Educators are constantly being asked to do more with less. During these complex times, it can be difficult to find hope, yet, as John Gardner (1990) said, "the first and last task of a leader is to keep hope alive." Weaving Hope Through Our Education System is an invitation to emerging, novice, and experienced educators to reflect, a reminder to connect, and a call to action. In its pages, a diverse group of artists, educators, and leaders examine hopes relationship with courage, connection, compassion, curiosity, and creativity. Through poetry, narrative, articles, interviews, and plays, authors respond to the prompt: How do you foster hope in our education landscape?

Derrique DeGagné (she/her) is a cis-gender, White, second generation settler with ancestors from England, Ukraine, and Poland. Holding an MEd (University of Calgary), a BEd (University of Alberta), and a Dip Theatre (Grant MacEwan University), Derrique is a life-long learner, educator, and artist. She serves as a Curriculum Consultant with Edmonton Public Schools after having worked as an Arts Curriculum Consultant with Alberta Education. Prior to that, Derrique was a theatre and humanities educator at Victoria School of the Arts. Additionally, she ran the KidsFringe at the Edmonton International Fringe Theatre Festival and InkPulse, a summer writing camp, for the Writers Guild of Alberta. As well as serving on the Citadel Theatres Board of Directors, Derrique is a committee member for the Greater Edmonton Teachers Convention and a former Theatre Alberta board member. Derriques proudest role, however, is parenting her creative and caring children alongside her amazing partner.