Educator • Scholar • Coach • Consultant
Dr. Kathleen Collins, Ph.D.
Dr. Kathleen Collins is a scholar of literacy education and disability studies (Ph.D., University of Michigan). Her research investigates patterns of educational inequity, particularly how perceived, assumed, or assigned differences may position students unfavorably. Kathleen calls this process "ability profiling" and helps teachers and schools design inclusive instruction that actively re-positions students for success. Kathleen also works with parents and groups to advocate for equitable education for their own children.
Differences and impairments are not deficits until they interact with inaccessible or exclusionary aspects of the instructional environment.
As teachers, this means we must examine how features of the instructional context, including the relationships between participants, the literacy tools available, the circulating cultural stereotypes and prejudices, and the accepted policies and disciplinary procedures, do the work to produce certain “kinds” of learners, i.e., “a struggling reader,” “an A student,” or “a discipline problem.” (Collins, 2024, Language Arts)
Writing new futures through inclusive literacies.
Experience Matters
Educator
Over 3 decades of teaching experience
Dr. Collins began her career as a high school English teacher. Since then she has spent over 37 years teaching and researching in K-12 schools in New York, Virginia, Michigan, California and Pennsylvania.
Kathleen's university-level teaching experience includes positions at The University at Buffalo, Niagara University, The University of Michigan, The University of San Diego and the Pennsylvania State University. She received university awards for teaching excellence at both the University of San Diego and The Pennsylvania State University.
Kathleen is currently a tenured faculty member in the College of Education at The Pennsylvania State University where she teaches undergraduate courses in methods of literacy instruction and graduate courses in methods of qualitative research.
Keynote Speaker and Consultant
Leading inclusive change within districts, schools, classrooms, universities and businesses
Dr. Collins is a sought-after educational consultant and has worked extensively with schools, districts, universities and organizations to promote equitable practices and create inclusive learning environments.
Additionally, Kathleen has delivered invited keynote presentations at prestigious universities including La Salle, Michigan State, New York University, Syracuse, and the Universities of Northern Iowa, Pittsburgh, San Diego, and Washington.
Kathleen has completed over 50 research presentations at peer reviewed conferences around the world including meetings of the prestigious International Society for Cultural and Activity Research (ISCAR), the International Conference on Imagination and Education, and the International Disability Studies in Education Conference. She also presents her research regularly at the annual meeting of the American Educational Research Association (AERA), the Literacy Research Association (LRA), and the National Council for Teachers of English (NCTE).
Scholar
Literacy, disability studies, educational equity
Dr. Collins is recognized internationally as one of the most influential scholars conducting research at the intersection of literacy, dis/ability, and minoritized identities. Kathleen was awarded the 2024 Outstanding Senior Researcher Award from the Pennsylvania State University’s College of Education in recognition of the full scope and impact of her research program.
Kathleen's research has appeared in prominent peer-reviewed journals including English Journal, Language Arts, Language, Speech and Hearing Services in Schools, Learning Disabilities Quarterly, Multiple Voices for Ethnically Diverse Exceptional Learners, Review of Disability Studies: An International Journal, Teaching and Teacher Education, Urban Education and Equity and Excellence in Education.
Instructional Coach
Multimodal literacies, teacher support groups, literacy support for families and students
Dr. Collins has provided leadership as a classroom and district literacy coach across multiple school sites within Prince William County Public Schools, VA and San Diego Unified School District, CA.
She also has extensive experience with virtual coaching to provide individual feedback and support to teachers, families, and students across the country.
Additionally, Kathleen has coached groups of teachers engaged in sustained shared inquiry around a common theme related to inclusive literacy instruction, such as guided inquiry science, multimodal literacies, arts-based content instruction, and teaching banned books.
Kathleen's latest coaching work, Teachers Talking Together, speaks to the urgency of the current climate in public education by providing an opportunity for teachers to come together in a virtual support groups. Support groups are led jointly with Dr. Ana Estrada, licensed Marriage and Family therapist and tenured faculty member at the University of San Diego.
Selected Awards and Honors
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Outstanding Senior Researcher Award, Awarded by the College of Education at Pennsylvania State University
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Outstanding Teaching Award, Awarded by the College of Education at Pennsylvania State University
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Ellen Brantlinger Junior Scholar Award for Outstanding Work within Disability Studies in Education, presented at the 12th International Disability Studies in Education Conference, Hunter College, City University of New York
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University Professorship Award, University of San Diego
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Distinguished Alumni Award, Graduate School of Education, Department of Learning and Instruction, State University of New York at Buffalo
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Over $2,000,000 in external and internal research grants
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Co-Chair of the Disability Studies in Education special interest group of the American Educational Research Association
Contact Dr. Kathleen Collins
Get in Touch
For inquiries related to coaching, Teachers Talking Together, consulting, research collaborations, support for families and students, or speaking engagements, please reach out.