On October 9, 2025, educators, district leaders, and innovators from across the country joined America Succeeds and the Human Intelligence Movement for a live conversation on how schools can balance artificial intelligence with human intelligence — the empathy, adaptability, creativity, and collaboration that technology cannot replace.
A Call to Redefine Readiness
The event opened with Dr. Michael Crawford, Vice President of Strategic Initiatives at America Succeeds, who set the stage for why this conversation matters. He described the growing disconnect between what students are taught in school and the skills they need to succeed in life and work.
Across more than 80 million job postings, nearly every employer listed at least one durable skill — communication, problem-solving, collaboration, or leadership. These skills remain the most essential for employability and contribution in the modern economy, yet they are the least measured and most inconsistently developed in K-12 education.
That insight led to the creation of the Pathsmith, a national initiative that adapts the America Succeeds Durable Skills Framework for learners. The project aims to make these meaningful in classrooms and youth programs across the country.
Centering Human Intelligence
Co-host Dr. Michelle Ament, Co-President of the Human Intelligence Movement, framed durable skills as the living expression of human intelligence — blending emotional, adaptive, and cognitive capacities that define how people connect, lead, and create.
Panelist Dr. Devin Vodicka, CEO of Learner-Centered Collaborative, emphasized that education systems must evolve to reflect the realities of a rapidly changing workforce. Dr. DeShawn Washington, educator and student voice advocate, shared how students are already demonstrating curiosity, empathy, and resilience when given opportunities to lead their learning.
Together, the conversation highlighted a shared goal: to ensure every learner builds the human skills that make them not only employable but irreplaceable.
From Awareness to Action
The second half of the discussion focused on action — what schools, systems, and communities can do now to align education with the future of work.
Devin Vodicka discussed practical strategies for embedding durable skills into school structures and assessments. DeShawn Washington described classroom practices that help students build ownership and adaptability. Michael Crawford connected these ideas to workforce readiness, showing how schools and employers can work together to close the gap between learning and opportunity.
Join the Pathsmith K-12 Pilot
The Pathsmith Pilot is open for educators, youth organizations, and after-school providers who want to integrate durable skills into learning. Participants gain access to early frameworks, classroom tools, and opportunities to share feedback that will shape the national release in spring 2026.
Educators can also explore the Learner-Centered Collaborative App for free resources that make durable skills visible and actionable in their schools.
Watch the Webinar
If you missed the live event, you can now watch the full conversation on YouTube:
🎥 Watch the webinar replay here.
This discussion brought together voices from across education and industry to reflect on what readiness means in the age of AI — and how we can ensure students develop the human capacities that matter most.
Why It Matters
The Pathsmith Pilot is more than a project — it is a movement to redefine readiness for the Intelligence Age. When educators and leaders work together to cultivate empathy, curiosity, adaptability, and purpose, they help young people prepare not only for jobs but for life.
Join the movement. Shape the future of learning. Build the foundation for human intelligence in an AI world.
🔗 Take the next step: