Special Needs Volunteer to Global Educator: Meet Pia Gardner
In Honor of National Disability Employment Awareness Month Pia Gardner has dedicated her career to championing equity and opportunity for individuals with disabilities, transforming barriers into pathways for meaningful employment. With decades of experience in special education across multiple states and international settings, she brings a powerful perspective on the intersection of skill development, workplace inclusion, and empowerment. Through her work, Pia not only opens doors for others but also exemplifies how listening, advocacy, and relational leadership create lasting change—ensuring that every individual’s potential is recognized, valued, and celebrated in the workforce.
Tell us about your personal journey.
Had I told my 16 year old self that I would be teaching special education for 27 years in two states and four countries I would have laughed, taken a drag off of my cigarette and raced to the next social event. As a high school student with two parents busy growing up themselves, school was not the priority. Working to bring home the milk was. Where I lacked in academic skills I made up for in soft skills, however I knew I had some catching up to do. The summer I graduated high school, I decided to go to Western State College in Gunnison, Colorado. This one move changed my life and empowered me to realize how I am one good decision away from a changed life.
What pivotal experiences shaped your current path?
While in college I decided to volunteer at “6 Points”, an agency that provides work and life skills training for adults with neurodiversity challenges living in the community. I enjoyed every minute of that volunteer job that then turned into a real job upon graduation. I leaned into my soft skills and every day I would return home having learned another powerful lesson from those I had worked with and for. Their resilience, courage, and unique perspectives transform challenges into opportunities, teaching lessons of perseverance and hope that empower not only themselves but also those who work alongside them. In striving to uplift others, I find myself constantly inspired, humbled, and energized; reminded that true empowerment is a powerful journey of mutual growth and respect. My work with these individuals allowed me to step outside of my own struggles. It made me realize how much choice and power I have over my own life and most importantly, how I wanted to use this choice and power to enrich other people’s lives. I knew this would be my life's work so it was easy to decide my next move; to pursue a masters degree in special education and become a special educator, which I have done now for 27 years.
The second pivotal experience was a decision I made with my husband 12 years ago. We had two children who at the time were 6 and 10 years of age, owned a home, were 16 years into teaching at respected and established schools and had a large group of friends and relatives living close by in Tacoma, Washington; but we also had a dream. One we could not ignore any longer. We always hoped to live and teach abroad. This one decision transformed our lives in such a powerful way. We ignored the “what ifs?” both in our heads and in the voices from others, threw all our belongings in storage and headed to Dubai to teach. Twelve years later we have lived and taught in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Budapest, Hungary, and Tokyo, Japan. We have travelled to many of the places I dreamed of when I was a young girl looking at photos in Richard Halliburton’s Complete Book of Marvels.
What are the most valuable lessons you've learned through your work?
Two things I have learned through my life work as a special educator.
- Behavior is communication. If we take the time to listen, really listen to others we can and will make a huge difference in people’s lives. And in the end, that is what is most important in life.
- People will forget what you said, but they will always remember the way you made them feel.
What drives your desire to contribute and make a difference?
My life is rich and beautiful because my focus is not that of the bottom line but rather, in making a difference for others. I truly believe that if you lean in and believe in someone and empower them, you can and will change the trajectory of their life. This is far more valuable to me than a large bank account or a fancy car. Living in Japan these past few years has been a powerful lesson in collectivism. The notion that you strive for the good of the whole rather than individualism. Working to boost others or giving them a shot at opportunities does not steal your opportunities, rather it puts one more believer in the “we” out into the world doing good for the whole rather than the self.
Their resilience, courage, and unique perspectives transform challenges into opportunities, teaching lessons of perseverance and hope that empower not only themselves but also those who work alongside them. In striving to uplift others, I find myself constantly inspired, humbled, and energized—reminded that true empowerment is a powerful, reciprocal journey of mutual growth and respect.
What are your highest hopes for democracy to unite, uplift, and inspire?
At the heart of it all is we just want to belong. Democracy is a powerful tool in creating belonging. In recognizing each individual’s right to participate and have a voice is what I hope for and strive for when teaching and working with others who need support.
How can GlobalMindED support leaders like yourself in achieving your goals and advancing your aspirations?
My hope is that GlobalMindED continues to lift young people up who need that extra boost. Working hard to connect them to those of us out in the world who have succeeded in making a difference so they too can learn that instant fame or big bank accounts are not the direction to a good life. I want young adults to know that they do not have to buy into the “American Dream”. There are other ways to live. There is a huge world out there, beyond US borders, that can teach young people to not be afraid. I would love for there to be grants for these young people to go abroad. It is transformative. It builds confidence and helps young people re-evaluate what is important in life. They understand that they are one decision away from a completely different life, one where they can transform other people’s lives rather than fill up two car garages with things. They can see first hand how other people view the world and learn a thing or two. This would be where I would invest money and time.
Contact Pia Gardner
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