Vanderbilt Alum Pursues Education at Teachers College
For Kya Lin, a Vanderbilt Alum, the journey into education and graduate school has been driven by a deep commitment to representation and improving the educational experience for students with disabilities. Her path to Teachers College (TC) at Columbia University, where she is now pursuing a master’s in special education, has been shaped by her own teaching experiences and a passion for making a difference.
After graduating from Vanderbilt, Kya was not immediately sure whether she wanted to pursue a graduate degree. However, as a first-year teacher in an integrated co-teaching classroom, she faced the challenges of supporting students with special needs, an experience that pushed her to rethink her approach to education.
“I realized I didn’t know enough about the special education process, like how to write and update IEPs or refer students for services. It was overwhelming,” she explained.
Her co-teacher, an experienced educator, guided her through the process, but Kya knew that further education was crucial to becoming the teacher she wanted to be.
Kya began researching graduate programs and eventually decided on one of Posse’s graduate school affiliates, Teachers College at Columbia University, for their special education program. She reached out to Posse’s Graduate + Fellowship Program for guidance. They helped her navigate the application process, providing advice on how to frame her personal statement and ensuring she understood the nuances of graduate school admissions, including how to write a diversity statement. "I felt supported every step of the way,” Kya said, reflecting on the process.
Although she is still early in her graduate program, Kya is already impressed by the faculty’s dedication to student success and their ongoing research.
“It’s inspiring to work with professors who are still actively contributing to the field,” says Kya. “Their research keeps us connected to the latest developments in education.”
Kya’s journey into teaching was motivated by the lack of representation she saw in classrooms. As a first-generation college graduate, she wants to show students that success is possible, regardless of their background. For Kya, teaching is about more than just academics; it’s about helping students build their identities and feel proud of who they are.
“I share my story with my students to let them know that if I can do it, they can too,” she said.
As she continues her studies and teaching career, Kya’s goal remains clear: to create an inclusive, supportive learning environment that empowers students to thrive academically and personally.
