EdGate Powers Podcast #30- with Hillary Rinaldi
Educational success is no longer defined by academic achievement alone. As states, districts, and employers place greater emphasis on preparing students for an evolving workforce, many education leaders are adopting Portrait of a Graduate frameworks to define the durable skills, competencies, and experiences students need to thrive beyond high school. The challenge is ensuring these aspirations become meaningful parts of teaching and learning rather than standalone initiatives.
At the same time, advances in artificial intelligence, changing workforce expectations, and growing demand for career readiness are reshaping conversations around curriculum, instruction, and assessment. States are exploring how competencies such as communication, critical thinking, collaboration, digital literacy, and lifelong learning can complement academic standards while helping students prepare for an uncertain future.
In this episode of the EdGate Powers Podcast, Rich Portelance is joined by Hillary Rinaldi, Vice President at Whiteboard Advisors, to examine how Portrait of a Graduate frameworks are evolving across the country. Together, they discuss how standards, curriculum, work-based learning, and community engagement can work together to create meaningful learning experiences that prepare students for college, careers, and lifelong success.
Whether you're a state education leader, district administrator, curriculum provider, or edtech organization, this conversation explores how future-ready learning depends on connecting academic standards with durable skills, relevant instruction, and authentic opportunities for students to apply what they learn.
In this episode, you will learn:
- What a Portrait of a Graduate is and why more states are adopting these frameworks.
- How durable skills such as communication, collaboration, critical thinking, and citizenship complement academic standards.
- Why AI and digital literacy are influencing conversations about future-ready learning.
- How curriculum, instructional materials, and classroom experiences bring Portrait of a Graduate competencies to life.
- Why career and technical education (CTE) and work-based learning are becoming increasingly important in preparing students for future careers.
- How states are approaching accountability, assessment, and implementation of Portrait of a Graduate initiatives.
- Why stakeholder engagement, including teachers, students, families, employers, and communities, is essential for successful implementation.
- What leading states are doing to embed Portrait of a Graduate frameworks into broader education strategies.
Why This Conversation Matters
Preparing students for success requires more than helping them meet academic standards. As workforce expectations evolve and technologies like artificial intelligence continue to reshape learning and employment, states and districts are increasingly focused on ensuring students graduate with the durable skills, real-world experiences, and adaptability needed to thrive in an ever-changing future.
Portrait of a Graduate frameworks are helping education leaders create a shared vision for student readiness by connecting academic learning with communication, collaboration, critical thinking, work-based learning, and career preparation. When these competencies are reinforced through curriculum, instruction, and community partnerships, schools can create more meaningful learning experiences while supporting students with diverse goals and pathways beyond high school.
Join Rich and Hillary as they discuss how Portrait of a Graduate initiatives, thoughtful curriculum design, and collaborative leadership can help education systems prepare every learner for success in college, careers, and life.
Learn more about Portrait of a Graduate frameworks and how states are redefining student success beyond traditional academic achievement.
Hillary Knudson is a seasoned K‑12 education policy strategist for Vice President for White Board Advisors. She is focused on translating rigorous research into practice that drives meaningful systems‑change. With experience across state and federal levels, including work as Deputy Chief of Staff for the Tennessee Department of Education, and a Senior Research Assistant on Education Policy for the United States Senate, Hillary has advised on math education, student pathways, and evidence‑based policy implementation.
Hillary champions equity, access, and high‑quality instruction—especially in mathematics—bringing a clear, research‑driven voice to how curriculum, standards, and instructional models can better serve students.
Rich is passionate about eEdTech and helping people discover pathways to successful careers. He leverages his many years of business experience in strategy, product development, brand creation and sales & marketing as a frequent industry speaker and sought after consultant.
Beginning his career in digital marketing and web development, Rich was recruited into the private, independent school market to help usher in digital technologies and social media. During this time, Richard served as a student advisor and was nominated to serve on the CAIS (Connecticut Association of Independent Schools) Technology Commission. In 2012, Rich joined York & Chapel, a brand and digital transformation agency where he began working with secondary and higher ed clients, developing strategies for student engagement and pathway creation. In 2014, Richard founded CareerPath, a SaaS engagement platform. Over the past ten years, Rich has given back to the industry as an advisor to numerous EdTech startups, and generally has had a blast doing what he loves to do — help others succeed.
Questions Answered
During the podcast, we tackle critical questions related to Portrait of a Graduate frameworks and new methods of defining student success beyond traditional academic achievement.
- What is a Portrait of a Graduate? Why are states adopting these frameworks?
- How did the Portrait of a Graduate movement begin? Why has it gained momentum?
- How are states defining future-ready skills for an AI-driven workforce?
- How do academic standards and Career and Technical Education (CTE) support a Portrait of a Graduate?
- What are the biggest gaps between academic standards and real-world workforce skills?
- Which states are leading the way in implementing Portrait of a Graduate frameworks?
- What challenges prevent schools from fully adopting Portrait of a Graduate frameworks?
- How should Portrait of a Graduate frameworks evolve as AI and workforce needs continue to change?
- How can Portrait of a Graduate frameworks promote equity and future-ready learning for every student?
- How should schools redesign standards and assessment to better prepare students for the future?
- How can states connect academic standards with Portrait of a Graduate initiatives?
- How can educators, publishers, and edtech leaders align their work with Portrait of a Graduate goals?