When Pariya Rojtanongchai joined the University of Kansas online master's in high incidence disabilities program, she brought with her an uncommon perspective: that of a former corporate lawyer making a deliberate career transition to special education.
"I'm not your typical teacher," Pariya explains. Formerly based in Hong Kong, Pariya worked as a corporate lawyer, though she did have some experience teaching at a boutique learning center prior to enrolling in law school. After relocating to the United States in 2021, Pariya found herself at a career crossroads.
"After I decided that corporate law wasn't going to be the career for me, I wanted to get back into education because that was always something that I felt connected to," she shares. "I was working for a very short time at the school that I went to in Hong Kong. And that's where I came into contact with special education as an area of work that I find deeply meaningful."
While navigating this significant career change, Pariya has also embraced motherhood, raising two children under the age of three—all while completing her coursework at KU. This remarkable balancing act reflects both her determination and the flexibility afforded by KU's online program structure.
Her unique background, international perspective, and current life circumstances place Pariya in what she describes as "a different phase of life" compared to many of her classmates. Yet this distinctive journey has enriched both her academic experience and her approach to special education.
Finding meaning beyond the boardroom: Why special education?
For Pariya, the transition from law to education wasn't just about changing careers—it was about finding purpose. When reflecting on her time as a corporate lawyer, she identifies two key factors that led to her career pivot: the search for rewarding work and a sustainable lifestyle.
"I didn't find it very meaningful," Pariya says of her corporate law experience. "The work was very confined to limited purposes. There just wasn't a lot of spread in terms of the impact that I could make."
Beyond the limited sense of purpose, the demanding lifestyle of the corporate legal world proved challenging to maintain. "Extremely long hours. Extremely difficult sort of life balance," Pariya recalls, describing her experience, "It was hard for my health as well. I had a really hard time managing my own mental health, especially in that period of time."
By contrast, education, particularly special education, offered Pariya something corporate law couldn't: a profound sense of meaning and impact.
"With this shift into education, when I think about ‘work’, the level of meaning has inherently multiplied. Infinite times," she explains. "I know that teaching is very tough. But in my mind, the level of meaning is what shifts the balance as to what is manageable and what is not sustainable."
What's particularly interesting about Pariya’s journey is that both fields challenged her intellectually, but in different ways. While she was initially drawn to law for its academic rigor, she discovered that teaching offers its own unique challenges.
"I went into law for the intellectual challenge. I've always been very academic in the sense I like to push myself intellectually," she shares. "Intellectually, [teaching is] challenging in a different way. It's also like a stretch for the mind—to be able to constantly comprehend how something is learned. Understanding students is really understanding their mind and emotions, and there are just so many different elements in that."
This realization that education could satisfy both her desire for meaningful work and intellectual challenges confirmed for Pariya that she was on the right path with her career change to special education.
A global perspective: How international experience shapes teaching philosophy
Pariya's experience teaching at an international school in Hong Kong has profoundly influenced her educational philosophy, particularly in understanding the importance of multicultural approaches to teaching and learning.
"I think primarily because I attended an international school and was teaching there, it shaped me in terms of the cultural openness," Pariya explains. "Not necessarily in relation to special education, but in relation to the learning environment, the multiculturalness of it. That really influenced how I see education."
This global perspective became especially relevant when Pariya took the Multicultural Education course at KU. She found that her international teaching experience gave her a practical foundation for understanding the theoretical concepts covered in the class.
It was during her time at the elementary school in Hong Kong that Pariya also began to develop her perspective on high incidence disabilities and inclusive education. She observed how special education was often treated as separate from general education, but the reality was more complex.
“What I saw was that a lot of students who are categorized as ‘normal’ are also experiencing certain challenges in their learning. And I feel like the concept of high incidence is something that has a lot of future in terms of supporting all students. A lot of students who are ‘normal’ are wired differently and think differently.”
This observation led Pariya to focus on high incidence disabilities when she applied to KU's program, as she believes this approach can benefit more students.
"The concept of high incidence to me is very powerful, in that I think it can help a much wider range of students than what high incidence naturally is understood to mean," she explains. "I feel like that's definitely the way I can spread this support to a greater number of students."
Pariya's international teaching experience broadened her cultural understanding and shaped her inclusive approach to special education—a perspective she continues to develop through her studies at KU.
The KU experience: Balancing motherhood and academic excellence
When Pariya decided to pursue her master's degree in special education, she was drawn to KU's online program for its flexibility, comprehensive curriculum, and strong reputation in special education research.
Despite the challenges of studying while parenting young children, Pariya has found the online format conducive to forming meaningful connections with classmates. "It's been good. I've actually made friends as well," she shares. "I think it's more social than people think it is...being online allows you that clarity and being able to click through on other people's profiles and be able to send them emails if you're interested in their work."
Through discussion boards and group projects, Pariya has been able to identify peers with shared interests or complementary perspectives, creating a collaborative learning environment despite the physical distance.
Beyond the format, Pariya was specifically attracted to KU's focus on high incidence disabilities and its active involvement in special education research. "One other thing that I distinctly remember in choosing KU is looking at their special ed initiatives and the depth of the research." She was particularly impressed by "the constant activity from the KU Department of Special Education in the real world," noting that this practical application of research was an important factor in her decision.
Now well into her program, Pariya appreciates how KU strikes a balance between theoretical knowledge and practical application, "I had no experience with lesson plans and creating classroom presentations or professional development presentations. And I've been able to do all of that in the program."
The diversity of courses has also broadened her understanding of special education beyond her initial focus. "I did a course on multicultural education. I also did one on transition," she says. "Transition was a completely new concept to me. I had no idea what that looked like."
Currently working on her master's project, Pariya values how it's helping her synthesize what she's learned throughout the program. "I'm finding the project quite helpful in terms of bringing together the work I've done in the program and coherently evaluating that to see where all this work takes me in terms of my identity as an educator."
Future vision: Universal design for learning in early childhood
As Pariya progresses through her master's program, she has developed a clear vision for her professional future that merges her passion for inclusive education with a focus on early childhood development.
"I want to focus on UDL [Universal Design for Learning] in the early childhood education area," Pariya explains, referring to the educational framework designed to optimize teaching and learning for all people based on scientific insights into how humans learn.
Her interest lies in early childhood to elementary age learners, though she's still determining the specific age group she wants to concentrate on. Currently, her attention is directed toward early childhood education, synthesizing UDL concepts with developmental approaches for the youngest learners.
"I'm really interested in ways to bring more open access teaching, like very accessible ways of teaching for children of a wide range of abilities and temperaments and interests," she shares. This focus naturally connects to her personal life as well: "Obviously because I have two young kids of my own, I'm particularly interested in that integration at the moment."
When considering her career path after graduation, Pariya is keeping her options open.
"I think a classroom is definitely an option. But I also have entrepreneurial ideas about maybe starting a center, or otherwise building from the ground up," she reveals. This reflects her innovative thinking and desire to potentially create educational environments that fully embody her vision for inclusive early childhood education.
Pariya's professional goals align closely with the KU Department of Special Education's emphasis on evidence-based practices and innovative approaches to teaching students with diverse learning needs. Her interest in UDL specifically connects to the work of KU's UDL-Implementation and Research Network, founded by Dr. Jamie Basham, highlighting how the program has helped shape her professional interests.
While balancing motherhood and academics, Pariya is methodically building the knowledge base she'll need to realize her vision of creating more accessible and inclusive early childhood educational experiences—whether in a traditional classroom or through her own educational venture.
Advice for future special educators
As Pariya reflects on her journey from corporate law to special education, she offers valuable advice for others considering a similar path or contemplating a master's in special education.
"I think in order to teach well, you have to know how you learn," Pariya shares. This insight speaks to the importance of self-awareness as an educator. Understanding your own learning process can help you become more effective at teaching others. "Doing a master's is a great way to understand what it feels like to be a student,” she reflects.
Her final piece of advice encapsulates her philosophy on education and personal growth: "Do your best to learn everything you can, and do your best to understand what it's like to be a student, and also what your characteristics are as a student, so that you can be more compassionate and empathetic to the students that you work with as well."
Having made the most of her studies at KU while raising her young family, she exemplifies the qualities that make exceptional special educators: intellectual curiosity, empathy, adaptability, and a profound commitment to creating meaningful educational experiences for all learners. Her journey from corporate law to special education demonstrates that with the right program and a clear sense of purpose, career transitions can open doors to more fulfilling professional paths.
Through KU's online master's in education, high incidence disabilities program, Pariya has developed the knowledge, skills, and professional identity that will enable her to make a significant impact in the field of special education. If you’re interested in pivoting your career path or deepening your expertise as an educator, consider the special education programs online at the University of Kansas. Whether you want to make a difference in a classroom, through entrepreneurial ventures, or in other innovative ways that expand access to quality education for diverse learners, KU can help you build the skills and make the right connections to achieve your career goals. Schedule a call with an admissions outreach advisor to learn more.