Special Education Inner Circle Catherine Whitcher
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- Education
The Special Education Inner Circle podcast is hosted by Catherine Whitcher, M.Ed, founder of the Master IEP Coach® Mentorship + Network. Get your notebook ready as Catherine brings you real-world strategies for everyone at the IEP table. With her family's experience in the disability community and her journey from Special Education classroom teacher to IEP expert, Catherine knows what it takes to prepare students and families for the future. Get ready to be inspired and learn actionable steps you can take immediately to change your special education experience.
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242. Say This, Not That: 5 Shifts for IEP Conversations
Ever feel frustrated with the words being used at IEP meetings? You're not alone!
In this episode, Catherine shares 5 critical language shifts that'll transform your IEP conversations.
Whether you're a parent trying to express your child's needs or an educator aiming to build better plans, these strategies are key to simplifying the process.
We're talking fewer words, with more impact. Specific statements, not vague generalizations. Gentle approaches vs harsh demands. And trust me, by the end of this episode, you'll be ready to infuse hope into every IEP discussion.
With nearly 30 years in the special education trenches, I've seen these shifts work magic through some of the toughest IEP situations.
So grab your favorite beverage, hit play, and let's upgrade your IEP experience together. It's time to get everyone on the same page and create plans that actually work.
Ready to become an IEP conversation pro?
Let's do this!
Links to Learn More -
Master IEP Coach® Resources
Become a Master IEP Coach®
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241. Losing Yourself at the IEP Table
Ever walk into an IEP meeting and struggle to show up as your best self? You know the conversation is going to be tough and you are just crossing your fingers hoping you can say and do the right things.
In this episode, I'll give you practical tips on finding support, preparing effectively, and managing your emotions during meetings. Learn how to show up as your best self with integrity and confidence... even through the hardest conversations.
For more IEP resources and the Master IEP Coach® Mentorship, visit Master IEP Coach®. -
240. Courageously Hit Refresh and Have Less Stress at the IEP Table
It's time to break free of unnecessary stress at the IEP table and courageously hit refresh.
Finally, give yourself permission to let go of methods or programs that just aren't working - even if you poured tons of effort into them initially. Whether it's a teaching approach, therapy plan, or accommodation, if it's causing more headaches than progress, let it go!
Hitting refresh also means a shift that flips the script on how you approach IEPs. Instead of just checking legal boxes, listen in to get perspective on how to start with your child's or student's unique needs and let the law support that vision. It's a total game-changer!
Tune in and you'll walk away seeing the IEP process through a fresh lens, packed with strategies to maximize a child's growth while prioritizing your own well being.
Send me a DM on Instagram Here
Get Free IEP Resources Here
Learn to become a Master IEP Coach® Here
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239. Create Your Double Win This Summer
Are you constantly striving and achieving at the IEP table, only to crash from burnout shortly after? I've been there, and in this episode I'm sharing how the concept of "high performance" changed everything for me.
You'll learn the 6 key habits around clarity, energy, productivity and more that allowed me to raise my baseline to a consistent state of joy and engagement - even amid major life struggles like divorce, health crises, and financial troubles.
I'll walk you through how to implement these habits in a way that fits your unique schedule, so you can finally feel that confidence and alignment you crave, not just at the IEP table but across all areas of your life.
It's time to stop the cycle of short-term achievement followed by burnout. Join me for an open conversation about creating your "double win" this summer through my 12-week mentorship!
Join the Summer Mentorship: www.masteriepcoach.com/mentorship
Got questions? Send me a DM on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/catherinewhitcher/ -
238. Feeling Burnt Out? You need sustainable IEPs
Burnout, exhaustion, and that "never again" feeling after an unsustainable IEP year? Let's get real about the tendency to overload IEPs with too many goals, accommodations, and responsibilities - leaving teachers, therapists, parents, and children overwhelmed.
Prioritization is crucial for sustainable IEPs that drive real progress. Stripping back IEPs to the highest-impact, "needle-moving" areas is key to consistently targeting and data-tracking those catalysts for growth, rather than spreading yourselve too thin trying a little bit of everything.
Learn how to ditch the "fluff" and create focused IEPs that are appropriate yet achievable long-term at www.masteriepcoach.com
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237. What 3 Words Do People Say Behind Your Back After an IEP Meeting?
What three words would people use to describe you after an IEP meeting? Maybe you owned traits like "caring," "patient," and "collaborative" - or maybe there's room to level up.
As the school year ends, I share examples from Master IEP Coaches® striving to be a "lifeline," "data-driven," and "calm" for families. What three words do you wish defined your approach to getting the most out of IEP meetings?
Send me a DM on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/catherinewhitcher/
Learn More About Master IEP Coach®: https://www.masteriepcoach.com/
Get 12 IEP Questions You Need to Ask Before Your Next IEP Meeting: https://www.masteriepcoach.com/blog/12-iep-questions-with-master-iep-coach-founder-catherine-whitcher-m-ed