CAC 2026 - Empowering Teachers to Flourish

Wayne State University, March 14, 2026.

About CAC:

Conversations Among Colleagues was designed in 2003-04 to facilitate conversations between and among mathematicians, mathematics educators and leaders in mathematics education. In 2015, the Conversations Among Colleagues became the official conference of the Michigan Association of Mathematics Teacher Educators (MI-AMTE).

Learn more about »Conversation Among Colleagues

CAC 2026 - Empowering Teachers to Flourish

Host: Wayne State University
Date: Saturday, March 14, 2026

The conference theme, Empowering Teachers to Flourish, aims to engage teacher educators, mathematicians, and teachers to explore and examine professional learning opportunities so mathematics teaching and learning environments flourish.

Programs, Registration, and Logistics

Registration and Logistics

Silent Auction Fundraiser:

We have several new books to be silently auctioned. Routledge Publishers has generously donated books, and we also have copies of ‘Mathematics for Human Flourishing’ signed by the author. In addition, we have many new or slightly used children’s books available for a modest donation.

All proceeds will go to MI-AMTE.

Early bidding is now open: View the list and make a bid!⇗

Support Our Sponsors!

Learn More

Keynote by Francis Su

This keynote is sponsored by Frederick C. Neff Endowed Memorial Lectureship in Philosophy of Education

Title: Building Virtues, Not Just Skills

Mathematics education often focuses on skills — like memorizing procedures or factoring a quadratic. Skills are important, but a great education should also develop mathematical virtues — such as creativity, persistence in problem-solving, and a disposition to beauty. I'll discuss why virtues have always been more important than skills, how they lead to human flourishing, and I'll urge us to retain what's essential in education (its formative possibilities) in an age where AI is causing people to re-evaluate what an education is really for.

Biography:

Francis Su⇗ is the Benediktsson-Karwa Professor of Mathematics at Harvey Mudd College, a former president of the Mathematical Association of America, and a Fellow of the American Mathematical Society. In 2013, he received the Haimo Award, a nationwide teaching prize for college math faculty, and in 2018 he won the Halmos-Ford writing award. His research is in geometric combinatorics and applications to the social sciences. His work has been featured in Quanta Magazine, Wired, and the New York Times. His book Mathematics for Human Flourishing’⇗, winner of the Euler Book Prize, has been translated into 8 languages. It offers an inclusive vision of what math is, who it's for, and why anyone should learn it.

Preconference feat. Kaycie Maddox, Stats & DS Education

Transforming Michigan Mathematics Teacher Preparation for a Data Science & Statistics Future features ASA’s Dr. Kaycie Maddox⇗, who will share information and lead activities regarding the forthcoming (mid-2026) SET II Report.

Livestream (new!): Dr. Maddox’s SET II Report Overview segment (10:15-11:15am EST) will be livestreamed. The link will be emailed to MI-AMTE members (sign-up), CAC registrants, and those who earlier expressed interest in the preconference workshop.

About SET II:

The Statistical Education of Teachers (SET) II report establishes a comprehensive framework for teachers’ statistical and data education by:

  1. Identifying foundational concepts that span grade levels and subjects, with learning outcomes for teachers at all stages,

  2. Offering targeted recommendations for both prospective and practicing educators, and

  3. Showcasing examples that exemplify high-level teacher preparation.

CAC 2026 registration

Early-bird rates ended Feb 26, 2026

Grad students:

Student non-members who first purchase a MI-AMTE membership become eligible for an additional 50% discount on CAC registration, resulting in a net $30+ savings overall compared to the non-member rate alone. Visit the public non-member registration page for details.

Preconference registration

Registration is free; limit 30 people.

REGISTRATION CLOSES ON THU. 3/5/26

Limited hotel support:

The deadline for being considered for hotel funding has now passed.

Parking & Accommodations

The conference is being held in WSU’s College of Education⇗ building.

Parking options:

Wi-fi and Accessibility

Wi-fi

WSU-PUBLIC is a Wi-Fi network designed for Wayne State University guests and visitors. WSU-PUBLIC is available anywhere Wi-Fi is available on Wayne State campuses and does not require login credentials to access.

Accessibility

For accessibility, please visit University accessibility - Wayne State University.

This map⇗ shows parking options in relation to the two accessible entrances to the College of Education Building. Lot #31 is the closest parking option.

Hotel options near campus include:

For other options, visit the WSU Guest FAQ⇗ or the WSU Hotel Listing⇗

‘Human Flourishing’ Reading Groups

Reading groups registration is now closed. The 2026 Mathematics for Human Flourishing⇗ reading groups are now underway!

2026 Conference Committee

Wayne State University:

Jennifer Lewis (Chair), Elsie Babcock, S. Asli Ozgun-Koca, Viveka Vaughn

MI-AMTE board liaisons:

Mariana Levin (WMU), and Ashley Fabry (MSU)

Sponsorship coordinator:

Matt Wyneken (UM-Flint, Emeritus)

Support Our Sponsors!

Please take a moment to review our CAC 2026 sponsors and advertisers.

Sponsors and advertisers provide the majority of the budget for our annual conference and, together with memberships, help support MI-AMTE’s other activities throughout the year. Learn how your organization can make a difference by sponsoring or advertising with MI-AMTE!