The Kentucky Board of Education honored Rhonda Logsdon, center, the executive director of KY-SPIN, with the 2026 Robinson Award for Diversity and Equity in Public Education. She poses for a photo with KBE Vice Chair Lu S. Young, left, and Commissioner of Education Robbie Fletcher. Photo by Joe Ragusa, Kentucky Department of Education, April 9, 2026
The Kentucky Board of Education (KBE) presented the 2026 Robinson Award for Diversity and Equity in Public Education to Rhonda Logsdon, the executive director of Kentucky Special Involvement Network (KY-SPIN), at its April 9 meeting.
Logsdon said she was honored to be a recipient of the Robinson Award.
“I am truly overwhelmed and grateful, and I will continue striving to be worthy of this honor,” she said. “This award is meaningful to me not for personal recognition, but because it represents progress toward ensuring that students with disabilities are intentionally included in the equity and diversity work across all areas of education.”
Each year, the KBE gives the Robinson Award to a Kentuckian or a Kentucky organization demonstrating extraordinary efforts and contributions in educational diversity and equity. The criteria for receiving this award includes, but is not limited to:
- Successful efforts in closing socioeconomic and/or racial achievement gaps; and
- Significantly improving student learning, student achievement or other measured outcomes among students of color or economically disadvantaged students.
Commissioner of Education Robbie Fletcher noted that Logsdon is a worthy recipient because of her dedication to Kentucky students with disabilities.
“It is an honor for the Kentucky Board of Education to be able to recognize Ms. Logsdon’s dedication and advocacy for children,” said Fletcher. “Under her leadership, KY-SPIN has dedicated more than three decades to empowering families, strengthening parent-school partnerships and ensuring that students with disabilities are afforded meaningful access to public education. Ms. Logsdon has proven that she is ‘All In’ when it comes to reducing barriers for students and families.”
Gretta Hylton, associate commissioner from the Kentucky Department of Education’s Office of Special Education and Early Learning, wrote in her nomination letter that under Logsdon’s leadership, KY-SPIN has become a “trusted statewide resource” for families navigating special education systems. Through training, outreach and individualized support, the organization equips parents and caregivers with the knowledge and skills needed to advocate effectively for their children.
Logsdon’s efforts have had a direct impact on improving student learning and participation by promoting inclusive practices and reducing reliance on exclusionary and harmful disciplinary responses, wrote Hylton. Through education and guidance, KY-SPIN helps families and schools focus on prevention, positive behavior supports and collaborative problem-solving, approaches that reduce the likelihood of physical restraint, seclusion and unnecessary removals from instructional settings. These efforts address practices that disproportionately affect students with disabilities and compound existing socioeconomic inequities.
“A hallmark of Ms. Logsdon’s leadership is her emphasis on respectful dialogue and shared responsibility between families and educators,” Hylton wrote. “By fostering understanding of IDEA, Section 504 and related protections, she has helped shift educational culture toward collaboration, strengthening trust between families and schools and supporting better academic and functional outcomes for students.”
Beyond individual advocacy, Hylton wrote that Logsdon’s work has contributed to broader systems change by elevating the voice of families in statewide conversations about special education, behavior supports and equity.
“Her influence has helped ensure that disability is recognized as a central component of diversity and equity in public education,” she wrote.
KBE Board Member Julie Pile said Logsdon is remarkable because of her ability to unite people.
“Rhonda embodies what it means to be a true parent advocate – someone who brings people together, builds authentic partnerships and reminds us that supporting children is a shared responsibility,” Pile said. “She has also taken on the critical role of advocating for legislation and working alongside the Kentucky Department of Education’s Office of Special Education and Early Learning to ensure systems better serve students and families. Through her leadership, she helps us move from thinking about ‘those kids’ to embracing our kids, creating a village where every child and family feels seen, heard and supported.”
The Robinson Award is named for Samuel Robinson, a member of the KBE from 1991-2004 who made diversity and equity in public education his life’s work.
A noted educator and civil rights leader, Robinson began his career in Kentucky in Louisville in 1960. His diverse background in public education includes everything from serving as principal at Shawnee High School (now the Academy at Shawnee) to president of the Lincoln Foundation. Robinson also was a well-known community figure as Louisville navigated the Civil Rights era.
Leave A Comment