Check Out Marites Altuna’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to Marites Altuna

Hi Marites, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I never imagined my journey would lead me to where I am today. My story began in the Philippines, where I grew up in a rural province surrounded by rice fields. Life was simple but fulfilling. However, everything changed when I was in sixth grade—I contracted an infection that led to rheumatic fever, which severely affected my heart and left me temporarily paralyzed. I was forced to stop attending school, and the illness also damaged my vocal cords, making it difficult for me to speak. My voice was barely more than a whisper. This experience was devastating, but my mother’s unwavering faith and encouragement helped me find hope and determination to recover.

Years later, an unexpected opportunity changed the course of my life. My mother thought she was applying for a job at the U.S. Embassy in Manila but completed an immigration application instead. After ten years, she received a letter from the U.S. Embassy saying we could immigrate to the U.S. It was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, so we made the difficult decision to leave everything behind and start over in Kansas City.

Adjusting to life in America was challenging. We faced financial struggles, cultural differences, and the need to start over. My parents had professional careers in the Philippines but had to take entry-level jobs to rebuild our lives and support our family. My siblings and I also took on various jobs to contribute. Despite the challenges, I pursued my education and discovered my passion for teaching and helping students with disabilities—particularly those with visual impairments and deafblindness..

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
The road to where I am today was anything but easy. Beyond the initial challenges of adjusting to a new country, there were moments of doubt, barriers I had to overcome, and lessons that shaped my journey.

One of the biggest challenges I faced was the bias and assumptions that came with having an accent. Even though I was fluent in English, people sometimes equated my accent with a lack of intelligence or ability. In college, I experienced moments where I was overlooked simply because I sounded different. In one instance, during a class activity where students had to pair up, I was left without a partner— because of the assumption that I wouldn’t understand the assignment. These moments could have discouraged me, but they fueled my determination to prove my capabilities.

Another challenge was navigating my career in education with my voice limitations. As someone with unilateral vocal cord paralysis, I struggled with voice projection and vocal fatigue. Teaching, which requires constant communication, seemed like an impossible path. But rather than giving up, I found innovative solutions—using microphones, sign language, visual cues, and even a whistle to support my instruction. My passion for education was stronger than the obstacles I faced, and I refused to let my limitations define me.

Every hardship I’ve faced—from illness to immigration to professional obstacles—taught me resilience. I’ve learned that barriers don’t have to define us; they can shape us into stronger, more empathetic individuals. Looking back, I see how every challenge prepared me for the work I do today—helping others overcome their own obstacles and thrive.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I have the privilege of serving as the Director of Family-Infant Toddler Services at the Kansas State School for the Blind, where I work alongside a dedicated team of developmental vision specialists providing free vision services to children birth to 3 years old who are blind or visually impaired and their families across Kansas. My work is centered around early intervention, ensuring that families receive the necessary resources and support to help their children thrive from the very start.

Before stepping into this role, I served as the Kansas DeafBlind Project Director, working to improve education and services for students with deafblindness from birth to 21 years old. I collaborated with educators, families, and agencies to strengthen the support system for individuals with deafblindness while implementing statewide initiatives and securing and managing federal grants.

My background in early childhood special education, curriculum development, deafblindness, and visual impairments allows me to approach my work from multiple perspectives. With two master’s degrees from the University of Kansas and specialized training in deafblindness (Utah State University) and visual impairments (Missouri State University), I bring both academic knowledge and hands-on experience to my role.

Beyond my professional work, I am deeply committed to civic engagement and advocacy. I serve on multiple boards and advisory panels, including the Kansas Early Childhood Recommendations Panel, Kansas Interagency Coordinating Council, Kansas Division for Early Childhood, and the KC Blind All-Stars Foundation. Additionally, I am involved in the business community as an advisory member of the Kansas City Kansas (KCK) Women’s Chamber Network, Asian American Chamber of Commerce, Kansas City, and as the 2025 President of the Filipino Association of Greater Kansas City.

What I Am Most Proud Of
I take great pride in empowering families, advocating for education and local businesses, and creating opportunities for children with disabilities to reach their full potential. Receiving recognition such as the Star Teacher Award in my early childhood building, Ambassador of the Year, and being a finalist for Female Leader of the Year from the KCK Chamber has been an honor, but the true reward is seeing the direct impact of my work—whether it’s helping a family access the right services, supporting a child’s developmental growth, or collaborating with businesses to expand opportunities and strengthen communities.

My journey has taught me the importance of resilience, representation, and breaking barriers. I believe what makes my work meaningful is my personal connection to it, my dedication to collaborating across diverse communities, and my commitment to ensuring that every child—regardless of ability—has the opportunity to succeed.

We’d love to hear about any fond memories you have from when you were growing up?
One of my favorite childhood memories is spending summers at my grandparents’ home in the Philippines. They were sugarcane farmers, and their house was surrounded by coconut trees. I loved watching my grandfather weave intricate baskets from coconut leaves and carve monkeys out of coconut shells—a skill I now regret never learning.
My favorite part of those visits was walking to the beach and seeing the fishermen bring in their catch. If my siblings and I were lucky, they would let us ride their boats out into the ocean, a thrilling experience that made me feel free and connected to the water.

Life in the countryside was simple, yet those moments were filled with warmth, curiosity, and a sense of adventure. Looking back, those childhood summers taught me to appreciate the beauty in simplicity and the traditions passed down through generations.

Contact Info:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marites-altuna/