For Kayla Baldwin, a kindergarten resource teacher at the Early Childhood Center in Altus, Oklahoma, the question wasn’t whether she could fit a master’s degree into an already full life of teaching, marriage and family. It was whether the right program could make that life better. After earning her online Master of Education in Special Education – Challenging Behaviors from Southeastern Oklahoma State University in August 2025, her answer is a confident yes.
Kayla, who grew up in the small town of Anton, Texas, began her program in January 2024 while working full-time in the classroom. Two years later, she has a pay raise, greater confidence and a clear next step in her career. This is proof that for working educators asking whether an online special education master’s is worth it, the return can go well beyond the diploma.
Why She Chose SE’s Challenging Behaviors Program
Kayla didn’t set out looking for a full master’s degree. She was originally interested in a few college credits toward her special education certification. What changed her path was a Southeastern representative who came directly to her school to talk with teachers about the programs available.
“The reason I decided to attend this school is because they took the steps to find me,” Kayla said. “What really made me want to commit was the interaction and help I received when I was setting everything up to attend.”
That personal enrollment support, paired with a program built around real classroom challenges, turned a handful of certification credits into a full special education degree and a new direction for her career.
Favorite Course: Student Assessment and the Response to Intervention (RTI) Process
Ask Kayla about her favorite class, and she doesn’t hesitate: Student Assessment & RTI Process, taught by Dr. Robert Shauger.
“This class was fun for me because I wanted to understand RTI more and how to implement it more in the classroom, and why we need RTI,” she said. “He made class time so fun and interactive. He answered questions and related to where you were as a student/educator.”
The response-to-intervention framework and behavior intervention strategies she picked up in that course didn’t stay in her notebook. Kayla brought them straight into her classroom to support her students, and she’s since shared what she learned with fellow teachers at her school to help them better understand the reasoning behind classroom practices.
Balancing Online Learning with Work and Family
Like many working educators considering an online special education master’s degree, Kayla wondered whether she could manage coursework alongside her job and home life. The 100% online format gave her the flexibility to make it work.
“My work was very supportive of continuing my education and would allow me to have class or video chat with my professors during work hours if I did not have students in my room,” she said.
Her family carried her through the harder stretches. Her husband faced several health issues during her time in the program, and there were moments she considered stepping away.
“Due to my husband’s health, I thought about quitting, and he, along with my children, were constantly telling me, ‘You have come too far to quit now!’”
The faculty made room for that reality, too. “Most of my professors were very understanding about ‘life happening.’ When I had questions about financial aid or just questions in general, everyone was very kind and helpful,” Kayla said.
Career Impact: A Pay Raise, More Confidence and a New Goal
For Kayla, the return on investment showed up quickly and in concrete ways. She received a pay raise as soon as she submitted her official transcript, and the cost of the degree was lower than she expected for a master’s program.
“I was able to get help through student loans and finish up,” she said. “I wanted to learn how to handle challenges in life as well as at work. This program offered feedback from so many people with different backgrounds that could help you look at the ‘big picture’ and see things differently.”
That perspective has made her more effective in day-to-day tasks that once felt daunting, particularly IEP paperwork and behavior planning. “Just being able to speak with a professor about a student’s behavior or asking questions that pertained to IEP paperwork was so helpful to me,” Kayla said. “It gave me the confidence I needed in myself that I never realized I did not have.”
That confidence is carrying into her community, too. Kayla’s degree helps her connect with parents and other educators on a deeper level because she better understands the behaviors she observes in the classroom and the reasons behind them.
Looking ahead, Kayla has her sights set on becoming a special education director for her district. “This degree helps me get another step closer to that goal,” she said. “I do not know where the future will take me, but with the Lord by my side, anything is possible!”
Her advice for anyone weighing whether an online special education master’s is worth it: don’t be afraid to ask questions. “Always remember that if you have a question, there is a good chance someone else in class does too. Do not be afraid to step up and ask when you are unsure,” she said. “There is no such thing as a stupid question when it comes to your grade and your education. Clarification is key to improvement. Lastly, remember, when you know better, you do better! You cannot be better until you know and understand!
Prepare To Advance Your Career With an Online M.Ed. in Special Education From Southeastern
Earning an online M.Ed. in Special Education – Challenging Behaviors from Southeastern Oklahoma State University can help working educators like Kayla build the skills, confidence and credentials to take the next step in their careers.
Learn Practical, Classroom-Ready Strategies
The Challenging Behaviors concentration is built around real classroom scenarios, including RTI implementation and behavior intervention planning, so what you learn on Monday can show up in your classroom on Tuesday.
Earn Your Degree Without Pausing Your Career
The 100% online format means you can keep teaching while you study, fitting coursework around your job and your family rather than the other way around.
Graduate in About 12 Months
Southeastern’s program is designed for working educators, with a timeline of approximately 12 months from start to finish.
Affordable Tuition, No GRE Required
At $329 per credit hour and with no GRE requirement for admission, this CAEP-accredited program is designed to be accessible for teachers who are ready to grow their careers without putting their career on hold. Explore financial aid admissions FAQs.
Request More Information
Ready to see if an online master’s in special education is worth it for your career? Request information today, and an Enrollment Specialist will contact you to answer your questions.