Picture of Rob Collins, innovative program consultant. Office of Continuous Improvement and Support. "Getting to work with some of the best educators in this country and getting to visit their classrooms and see the way they're changing kids' lives has been the most rewarding to me."

Rob Collins has been a team member of the Kentucky Department of Education for a little over a year.

“The Division of Innovative Learning is a small but mighty team, and it’s a really special group of people. I’m so thankful for them,” said Collins.

As an innovative programs consultant with the Office of Continuous Support and Improvement, Collins’ work focuses on managing programs such as the Kentucky Innovative Learning Network (KY ILN), which provides professional learning for educators and focuses on encouraging and sharing innovation within school districts.

“Working in the Division of Innovative Learning and having the opportunity to work to transform what school looks like for learners in Kentucky was exciting to me,” said Collins. “Getting to work with some of the best educators in this country and getting to visit their classrooms and see the way they’re changing kids’ lives has been the most rewarding to me.”

With the KY ILN, Collins is working on starting the second cohort of the KY ILN Innovative Teacher Fellowship in preparation for the new school year. Collins describes this cohort as some of the best educators in Kentucky.

“Getting to see their classrooms and seeing how they’re changing kids’ lives has been rewarding,” he said.

His work allows collaboration with trailblazing organizations such as Envision Learning Partners, Education Reimagined and the Kentucky Student Voice Team.

Prior to joining KDE, Collins was an English teacher at Greenup County High School.

He has a bachelor’s of English, a master’s in teaching, and is currently working on obtaining an educational leadership doctorate degree from the University of Louisville.

Collins works in the Kentucky Educational Development Corporation office and resides in Greenup County with his wife Kati, and their daughter. When not working, he enjoys spending time with his family, attending movies and reading.

You can keep up with Collins and his work on X (formerly known as Twitter) @mrcollinsky and the Kentucky Innovative Learning Network with the hashtag #KYILN.