February 13, 2025
from Dr. Bill Hudson, head of school
Over my 30+ years in education, I’ve been called many things, some of which I can’t repeat here. Most often, I’ve been called naïve or an optimist, most of the time meant as a criticism. Truth be told, I’d rather be naïve than a cynic, believing people are generally selfish and untrustworthy. I’d rather be an optimist rather than have a negative outlook on life and expect the worst from people and from life.
After reading “Hope for Cynics” by Jamil Zaki, Stanford University professor and director of the Stanford Social Neuroscience Lab, I can now proudly say I am a hopeful skeptic. A hopeful skeptic is someone who balances optimism with critical thinking. They are open to possibilities and potential but also approach claims, ideas, and situations with a questioning mindset. This person is not cynical or dismissive but instead seeks evidence, logic, and reason while maintaining a belief in positive outcomes.
Zaki writes about a test by psychologists Walter Cook and Donald Medley devised to identify good teachers. They asked hundreds of teachers whether they agreed with these three questions (and 47 others):
- No one cares much what happens to you.
- Most people dislike helping others.
- Most people are honest chiefly through fear of getting caught.
According to Cook and Medley’s research, the more a teacher agreed with these statements, the worse their rapport with students. Out of curiosity, but knowing the probable outcome, I did a snap poll of MPA teachers. The vast majority disagreed with all three statements with a small handful agreeing with only one. It didn’t surprise me that 97% of our teachers are low or low-medium in cynicism.
MPA teachers are not just educators—they are hopeful skeptics. They embody a unique balance of optimism and critical thinking, curiosity and discernment, vision and responsibility. Their role is not only to impart knowledge but to challenge students to question, explore, and engage with the world thoughtfully.
We live in an era where misinformation spreads rapidly, where technological advancements bring both opportunity and ethical dilemmas and where global challenges like climate change and social justice demand urgent attention. How do we prepare students not just to thrive in this world but to shape it with wisdom and integrity?
At MPA, we believe the answer lies in cultivating hopeful skepticism—the ability to dream big while thinking critically, to ask tough questions while believing in solutions, to challenge assumptions while maintaining a sense of purpose and optimism. This mindset is not just a philosophy; it is embedded in how we teach, engage, and guide students toward a future where they will lead, innovate, and advocate for change.
I am certain that Zaki would agree with me that MPA’s guiding philosophy, “Dream Big. Do Right.,” is the perfect embodiment of hopeful skepticism. These four words capture the balance we seek to instill in every student—the ability to envision a better future while engaging with the present thoughtfully and responsibly.
To dream big is to believe in possibility. It is the spark of curiosity that drives students to ask “what if?” and “why not?” It is the confidence to take risks, explore new ideas, and imagine solutions to the world’s greatest challenges.
But to do right is to ensure that those dreams are grounded in truth, ethics, and critical thinking. It is the commitment to seeking out facts, questioning assumptions, and making decisions based on both evidence and moral responsibility. A hopeful skeptic doesn’t simply accept what they are told—nor do they reject it outright. Instead, they engage, investigate, and refine their understanding through inquiry and reflection.
The balance of vision and discernment, optimism, and analysis is woven into the very fabric of our approach to education.
- Inquiry-Based Learning: Encouraging Questions, Not Just Answers
Step into any MPA classroom, and you’ll find students not just absorbing knowledge, but actively constructing it. They are encouraged to ask questions, challenge assumptions, and seek their own conclusions. Whether analyzing a historical event, designing a science experiment, or debating an ethical issue, they are developing the intellectual agility to navigate complexity with confidence. - Media Literacy and Responsible Citizenship
In a world where misinformation is rampant, we must teach students how to evaluate sources, discern bias, and think critically about the information they consume. Our students learn not just how to find answers but how to question them—an essential skill in a world shaped by social media, AI, and rapidly changing technology. - Growth Mindset and the Power of Failure
A hopeful skeptic understands that failure is part of learning. At MPA, students are given space to experiment, fail, and refine their ideas. Whether it’s through a robotics challenge, a writing revision, or a leadership opportunity, they learn that true progress comes from iteration, persistence, and a willingness to reconsider one’s beliefs. - Ethical Leadership and Meaningful Engagement
Hopeful skepticism isn’t just about thinking critically—it’s about taking action. MPA students engage in service-learning, ethical decision-making, and community leadership, learning that their voices and actions can make a real difference. They develop the confidence to challenge injustice, advocate for others, and become the thoughtful leaders our world needs.
As parents, educators, and mentors, we want to equip our children with the tools to navigate an uncertain future with both confidence and integrity. We want them to believe in themselves, in their potential, and in the idea that progress is possible. But we also want them to be discerning, thoughtful, and prepared for the complexities they will face.
MPA students graduate not as cynics, but as critical thinkers—young people who are unafraid to question, unafraid to dream, and unafraid to lead.
Students leave our hallways with the belief that a better world is possible, but only if we work to understand it, challenge it, and improve it. More than ever, we need leaders who are both idealistic and pragmatic, creative and analytical, visionary and responsible. That is the power of hopeful skepticism. That is the essence of “Dream Big. Do Right.” And that is what makes an MPA education truly transformative.
