Kylie Allen is the Government Affairs Intern for EdTrust-Tennessee. In this role, she assists the team by summarizing bill and committee activities to inform our legislative strategy meetings. She also monitors legislative developments in the Tennessee General Assembly, specifically focusing on issues that align with EdTrust-TN’s priorities.
Before joining EdTrust, she worked on a research grant at Vanderbilt, collecting and analyzing data to help develop strategies for improving educational outcomes for Spanish-speaking students in diverse learning environments.
Prior to moving to Nashville, she taught Kindergarten, Pre-K, and preschool at an all-inclusive school, which gave her invaluable experience working with young children in various settings. She also had the opportunity to work on a grant from the Department of Justice, helping implement restorative justice and trauma-informed care in Texas’s public schools, mental health organizations, and juvenile justice facilities. These experiences have all shaped her passion for creating equitable opportunities for students to succeed.
She is currently pursuing my master’s degree in quantitative methods & K-12 policy from Vanderbilt University’s Peabody College. She is originally from I am originally from Austin, Texas where she received her bachelor’s in education from the University of Texas.
What’s your favorite thing to do outside of work?
I love to attend concerts, hike, and baking!
What drew you to education?
I’ve always loved working with kids, and my favorite toy growing up was any babydoll. When I entered college, I initially thought I wanted to be a Physical Therapist, but I quickly realized that the path wasn’t fulfilling. I started working in schools casually, and that’s when I truly fell in love with education. There’s nothing more rewarding than watching kids grow and knowing that I play a role in shaping their lives, helping them learn and become kind, compassionate people.
Why are you passionate about working at EdTrust?
I love working at EdTrust because I’m surrounded by passionate, dedicated people who share my values and goals. As the child of a Hispanic single mother, I know how important it is to have access to a good education. My mom always made sure I was in spaces where I could learn and grow, and that experience drives my belief that our education system should be built with resiliency factors, giving all students the opportunity to thrive, no matter their background. EdTrust’s work is all about making this vision a reality, and I’m proud to be part of a team that prioritizes the needs of both students and teachers. With my background in teaching, I’m especially excited to be in a space where we’re working to make education attainable for all.
