I love Jeeps. In fact, I’ve owned four in my lifetime and currently drive one today. When people ask why I’m such a loyalist, "durability" is always at the top of my list. To me, durability means something that lasts, not just over time, but through consistent, rugged usage.
From vacuuming goldfish crackers off the rubber floor mats to eventually handing those same keys to my son when he started driving, Jeeps are the definition of reliable and functional. They are built to endure the seasons of life.
During my tenure as an educator, the way we equip high school graduates has shifted significantly. While the "basics" like literacy and math remain the foundation, we’ve expanded our scope to include coding and advanced technology. Now, we are standing on a new frontier: preparing our students to navigate and lead in a world shaped by Artificial Intelligence.
However, there is a catch. The technical skills we taught just ten years ago have already been replaced by new software and standards. In today’s world, technical skills often have a "half-life" of only a few years. We are all living in a cycle where change is the only constant.
The Durability Framework
While software may become obsolete, certain human traits do not. Many employers and educators are noticing a "skills gap" in graduates, not in their ability to use a computer, but in their "soft skills." At their core, these are actually Durable Skills.
Just like a Jeep, these skills remain functional and reliable regardless of how the landscape changes. Employers have even codified this into a "Durability Framework," prioritizing pillars such as:
Critical Thinking & Metacognition (Learning how to learn)
Communication & Collaboration
Character & Grit (Resilience)
Creativity
Setting the "Texas Standard"
If we provide our Conroe ISD students with these durable skills, we do more than just help them find a job; we help them lead a life of purpose. By focusing on character, grit, and creativity, we can make our "Lone Star" shine a little brighter than the rest.
I am incredibly proud of and grateful for a community that demands our students meet the "Texas Standard" prepared for today, but built for the long haul.