Educators and employers have long been concerned about the future of math and science education in the USA.

Einstein didn’t actually get bad grades, that’s a myth. However, he strongly disliked the rigid structure of his traditional German education. He often skipped classes, clashed with his teachers, and, feeling frustrated, dropped out of school at 15 to pursue self-directed learning.

Let’s be honest, every parent wants their kid to excel in academics. But amidst those areas of competition, we often forget other aspects of learning, which Patricia Vlad has excelled at.

So in an attempt to maintain competitiveness, and in response to predictions of future talent shortages, individuals like Patricia Vlad, Forbes 30 Under 30 Romania winner under the non-tech category, have launched a flurry of initiatives aimed at strengthening social-emotional education with LevelUp emotional intelligence & gamification. As an international consultant and education expert with over 12 years of experience, including work with UNICEF, Save the Children, the British Council, and the Commonwealth Secretariat, she has championed the idea that children should not only be excelling “academically”, but also socially, emotionally and physically.

LevelUp is based on the Big Five Personality Traits— a scientifically validated framework for understanding human personality. Inspired by Pictorial Traits Questionnaire for Children (PPTQ-C), Patricia and her team took this model and reimagined it for a younger audience. They reframed commonly misunderstood traits into positive and constructive terms.

Now you may be wondering, is emotional intelligence (EI) really important for inclusion in the curriculum? In a handy little nutshell—yes.

The inspiration for LevelUp stemmed from Patricia’s observations of families navigating the rigid demands of educational systems. “Parents often focus on helping their children meet societal benchmarks of success, which leaves little room for exploring emotional depth or individuality,” Patricia explains. “Unfortunately, this can lead to children feeling disconnected from their emotions or their unique potential."

Patricia has seen firsthand how different educational systems bring their unique strengths and challenges. In Romania, the education system combines a strong academic tradition with an increasing focus on modernization, preparing students for both local and international roles. The UK emphasizes critical thinking and creativity, encouraging students to innovate.

In Singapore, the education system is known for its efficiency, particularly in STEM, where the focus is on excellence. China’s education system emphasizes collective effort and discipline, cultivating perseverance in students. Meanwhile, the UAE blends modernity with tradition, creating a multicultural environment where students from diverse backgrounds interact.

“Each system has its own strengths,” Patricia notes. “Understanding these helps educators connect their teaching to the cultural context of each system.”

Stepping back for a moment, Patricia's time at Cambridge, with its emphasis on interdisciplinary thinking and academic rigor, taught her to approach problems holistically and to always aim for excellence. Harvard showed her how to turn complex theories into practical, accessible solutions for students. At UCL’s Institute of Education, teaching deepened as she learned the power of inclusive and evidence-based practices in creating dynamic learning environments. Oxford’s Blockchain Strategy program expanded her understanding of how technology and innovation could transform education, and her Erasmus year in Spain acquainted her with the importance of cross-cultural collaboration and global perspectives.

The Common Observance In Modern Education?

Today’s education systems heavily prioritize cognitive skills, often de-prioritising the emotional, physical, and social dimensions of learning. Research shows that emotional intelligence—self-awareness, empathy, and social skills—is as important as academic skills for success in both personal and professional life. Yet, opportunities to develop EI in younger children are scarce, as the misconception persists that personality only begins to form in adolescence.

“Children as young as six (and I would argue even younger, from watching my own toddler develop at the moment) begin to develop core aspects of their personality and emotional awareness,” Patricia Vlad says. “If we wait until their teenage years to focus on these traits, we miss a critical window of opportunity.”

This gap in understanding can lead to fractured parent-child relationships, strained peer interactions, and an over-reliance on technology to fill emotional voids. LevelUp was designed to tackle these challenges by making self-discovery engaging for young learners and fostering meaningful conversations with their parents.

Unlike the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI), which groups individuals into 16 types based on preferences, the Big Five model describes personality traits along continuous dimensions, providing a more nuanced and empirically validated framework for understanding individual differences.Patricia believes this flexibility is essential for fostering a growth mindset in children.

Why Emotional Intelligence Matters in Education?

“Schools are often focused on academics, but we know that emotional intelligence is just as important for long-term success,” she explains. “By understanding a child’s personality, teachers can tailor their approach to help each student thrive.”

For instance, a highly Reactive student might benefit from mindfulness exercises to manage stress, while a Free-Spirited student might excel in project-based learning environments that allow for creativity.

“When we integrate emotional intelligence into the curriculum, we’re not just preparing kids for tests, but also for pragmatic experiences of life,” Patricia says.

“The Big Five framework is dynamic, allowing for changes as children grow and develop,” Patricia explains. “It’s not about labeling kids but helping them and their parents understand their unique strengths and how to nurture them as they mature and change.”

Gamification Plays a Key Role in LevelUp

Gamification fosters engagement and emotional development, something Patricia, with her focus on inclusivity and emotional intelligence, has implemented in LevelUp. By transforming activities that might otherwise feel like chores into interactive and enjoyable experiences, gamification helps children connect with the learning process in a more natural way. It taps into their love for play and storytelling, allowing them to engage authentically, especially when it comes to assessments like LevelUp.

A study by the Federation of American Scientists found that students recalled 20% of what they heard. When visuals accompanied an oral lecture, the number rose to 30%.

If someone took an action along with the explanation, the number rose to 50%. However, if the students perform the job themselves with the use of gamification, they can retain 90% of what they learned.

"In traditional assessments, children often feel the pressure to give the “right” answer, but gamified assessments create a more relaxed environment where kids can express themselves freely," she says.

Gamification of assessments like LevelUp fits perfectly within tailoring education to be both student-centered and culturally sensitive. Plus, it becomes easier for parents and children to have meaningful conversations. By presenting the assessment as a fun activity, LevelUp encourages kids to talk about their responses, giving parents insight into their child’s unique traits and fostering a stronger emotional connection.

Visuals, rewards, and interactive scenarios capture the attention of children and reduce anxiety, allowing them to respond genuinely. Plus, it’s phenomenal to watch how it bridges developmental gaps, making assessments more accessible and age-appropriate. Patricia says, “One key premise to thrive in recent years is that EI needs to be integrated throughout the entire curriculum, rather than being taught in isolation.” When EI is approached as a one-off lesson, it becomes just another item on a checklist, she explains. Effective EI development happens when emotional and social learning is included in daily interactions, classroom practices, and subject matter discussions. When self-awareness, empathy, and emotional regulation are woven into everyday academic lessons, students naturally start to absorb these skills, rather than considering a detached concept.

This is just one example of how schools and teaching methods are already embracing effective and important ways to uplift teens and students and blending local and global contexts in education - while preparing them for a new digital world. If you're curious about the tools and skills this approach offers, feel free to visit their website for more information.