State Board of Education Members
Layla has had a storied career in the United States Army (USA) which began in 1994 and spanned over two decades. During that time, she was deployed in support of operations in several countries, including Afghanistan and Iraq.
Her career has provided her with invaluable experience that has prepared her for a wide range of topics and events, from security to policy and doctrine. The capabilities that shaped her resiliency in her early career afforded her the opportunity to deploy in support of Marine Missions in Haiti, where she laid a foundation for her expertise in security and force protection. She later served as a liaison between the Human Resources Command for the Army. Both experiences allowed Layla to enter a field where she was uniquely equipped to serve within Special Operations Forces (SOF).
Layla served in multiple SOF units with a wide range of focus. Layla was selected to be a core member of a Special Actions Team that evaluated security protocol at the highest levels of our government. She collaborated to develop curriculum and courses to train and educate other service members on sensitive skills and best practices. Working within the SOF Community, allowed Layla to not only practice her skills as a counterintelligence agent, but expand her aperture through working on projects that included shaping policy for the federal government that had a direct and lasting change on funding, procurement and training.
Through Layla’s unique abilities gained throughout her successful career, she was able to handle difficult situations that her family would face. Her husband was facing an amputation, and her son was diagnosed with several complex medical concerns – she was now facing continuing her career or retiring. She chose the latter to care for her family.
Layla is the proud wife of Jay, and mom of 2 precious boys, Gabe and Colt. Layla has been very active in her children’s education, substitute teaching, volunteering and advocating for adaptive sports, and the veteran community. Layla has a special place in her heart for Exceptional Student Education (ESE) students and families.
Contact Board Member, Layla Collins at Layla.Collins@fldoe.org.