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The Human Edge: Thriving with AI Through Empathy and Critical Thinking
Wednesday, March 18, 2026 @ 2:00 pm - 3:00 pm EDT
Presented by Stefani Kauppila, Former Teacher, Current Director of Product, Committee for Children; Jordan Posamentier, Former Teacher, Current VP of Policy & Partnerships, Committee for Children; and Dr. Jodie Donner, Former Teacher, Current Senior Instructional Designer II, Committee for Children
Sponsored by Second Step®, brought to you by Committee for Children
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AI is powerful—but human skills make it meaningful. Join us for this edWebinar to explore how to equip students with the emotional intelligence and problem-solving skills they need to succeed.
Artificial intelligence is everywhere, and countless AI‑powered tools are rapidly becoming part of how we learn, work, and create. But with this rise comes an essential question: How do we equip students to use AI thoughtfully and responsibly?
In this edWebinar, we explore practical strategies for safely and responsibly using AI in the classroom and for developing the human skills needed to use AI effectively. Learn how to blend AI into learning environments without diminishing the critical human skills students need to thrive. Walk away with actionable strategies, resource ideas, and a mindset shift that helps you champion both innovation and essential human abilities in your educational setting.
This recorded edWebinar is of interest to K-12 teachers, school leaders, and district leaders.
About the Presenters
As Director of Product, Stefani Kauppila leads the team responsible for the vision and strategy behind Committee for Children’s innovative social-emotional learning curriculum, Second Step Programs. Stefani was drawn to Committee for Children’s research-based approach and its vision of safe children thriving in a just and peaceful world. She previously worked as an elementary and middle school teacher before developing web-based mathematics curricula at DreamBox Learning. It was there that she discovered a talent for designing learning experiences in technological environments, and a passion for leading teams and forming partnerships with educators and families.
As VP of Policy and Partnerships, Jordan Posamentier leads efforts at the local, state, federal, and international levels to advance equitable and effective human skills learning. At Committee for Children, he places policy and advocacy at the center of his work, helping shape systems that support young people’s development. Previously, Jordan served as a New York City public school teacher, legislative counsel to the California Judges Association, Director of Legislative Analysis at Students First, and Deputy Policy Director at the University of Washington’s Center on Reinventing Public Education. He believes growing national awareness of human skills learning must be translated into meaningful policy action.
Dr. Jodie Donner is an award-winning learning experience developer and educator currently working as a Senior Instructional Designer at Committee for Children. Having spent 25 years in education, Dr. Donner has co-created a technology course for preservice teachers, co-designed and led professional learning aimed at the equitable advancement of computer science education for underserved students, and now creates engaging learning opportunities that support human skill development in K-12 students. Building professional learning communities and supporting the work of classroom educators is a prominent focus of her work, presentations, and publications.
Learn more about earning a CE certificate and our accessibility features.
Join the Artificial Intelligence in Education community to network with educators, participate in online discussions, receive invitations to upcoming edWebinars, and view recordings of previous programs to earn CE certificates.
Second Step® programs—created by Committee for Children—deliver the kind of transformation districts are urgently seeking: measurable gains in school climate, stronger student belonging, and real shifts in behavior that ripple across entire communities. Used by over 45,000 schools, our PreK–12 programs are the most widely trusted and independently validated human skills solution. Substantiated by an unprecedented evidence base (WestEd), our K-8 digital programs deliver double-digit percentile gains in climate and belonging, reductions in office referrals and suspensions, and boosts in academic motivation.
Second Step programs are easy to implement, grounded in research, and designed to deliver consistent impact at scale. Reaching over 20 million students and a 96% customer satisfaction rate, our curriculum gives leaders a proven path to measurable improvement, gives teachers ready-to-use tools that work on day one, and gives students the skills they need to thrive. They’re not just programs—they’re a catalyst for schoolwide climate change.
