Special Education Boss® with Karen Mayer Cunningham

Karen Mayer Cunningham, Special Education Boss®
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The Special Education Boss® Podcast is where advocacy meets action. Join Karen Mayer Cunningham each week as she empowers parents and professionals to understand their rights, navigate the system, and show up strong at the IEP table.

  1. 4D AGO

    Ask the Advocate: Compensatory Services, Eligibility Traps, IEP Teams & School Pushback

    In this Ask the Advocate episode of Special Education Boss®, Karen Mayer Cunningham answers real-time questions from parents, educators, and advocates navigating complex IEP situations — from compensatory services and eligibility decisions to attendance struggles, team makeup, and school-based pushback. This episode is a powerful reminder that IEPs are legal documents, teams are equal stakeholders, and schools do not get to reduce or redefine federal rights. In this episode, Karen covers: When compensatory services are appropriate, and why “closing gaps” is the wrong goalWhy eligibility decisions matter — and how mislabeling harms servicesWhat to do when districts push students from an IEP to a 504Required members of an IEP committee (and what happens if someone leaves early)Attendance concerns, OCD, and capturing all student needs in the IEPWhy some placements, pull-outs, and group decisions may be segregation, not supportThe difference between collaboration and schools acting as the “IEP referee.”How to think long-term about post-secondary outcomes, independence, and adult lifeKaren also shares updates on The Epic IEP book, upcoming book tour stops, professional development trainings, and what’s next inside The Academy. 👉 Join The Epic IEP™Academy: [https://academy.specialeducationacademy.com/theepiciep-courses/the-academy/] 📘 Get The Epic IEP: Available wherever books are sold. 🎧 Subscribe, follow, and share this episode with anyone who sits at an IEP or 504 table. Support the show ✨ When we get it right for the child, we get it right for everybody. ✨ 👩‍⚖️ Hosted by Karen Mayer Cunningham, Advocate & Special Education Boss® Each week, Karen shares real stories, legal insights, and no-nonsense strategies to help you navigate special education with clarity and confidence. 👉 Subscribe & never miss an episode — new episodes drop every week! 🎓 Join The Academy: Weekly live trainings + 250+ hours of advocacy tools & expert resources 🔗 Learn more at The Academy 📬 Have a question? Email us at advocate@specialeducationacademy.com 📱 Follow Karen on: TikTok & Instagram: @specialeducationboss YouTube: Special Education Academy 🧠 Want to level up your advocacy game? Check out the Advocate's Bookshelf — a curated collection of must-have tools, guides, and legal references every special education advocate should own. From federal code to diagnostic manuals, these are the essentials that help you advocate with clarity and confidence. 📚 Browse now: https://amzn.to/3RiQPLl (As an Amazon Associate, Karen may earn a small commission if you make a purchase — at no extra cost to you.) ...

    25 min

  2. JAN 22

    “Paras Can’t Take Data”? Let’s Finish the Sentence. | Ask the Advocate

    Today’s Ask the Advocate starts with a celebration—The Epic IEP is officially hitting hands soon—and then we go straight into a question that’s blowing up in schools everywhere: Can paraprofessionals take data and deliver instruction when the teacher isn’t in the room? Let’s finish the clip, finish the sentence, and finish the confusion. Karen breaks down what “direct supervision” is actually tied to, why so many teams are unintentionally setting paras (and kids) up for failure, and what to do when the “this is how we’ve always done it” logic doesn’t match the written requirements. In this episode, you’ll learn: Why software-driven IEPs are not the same as student-driven IEPsThe 3-part “direct supervision” conversation Karen uses at the tableWhat to ask your admin (without lighting yourself on fire)What to do when an IEP isn’t scheduled on timeWhy you don’t remove services because an adult/student pairing isn’t working—you fix the deliveryHow to think through program changes (including autism programs) based on educational needReal talk on 504 meetings, “accommodations culture,” and why training matters📘 Get The Epic IEP (Official Amazon link): https://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1637635125?tag=simonsayscom 🎁 Pre-order bonuses + updates: Head to TheEpicIEP.com (bonuses may include access to special virtual training events).  📍Kentucky Book Tour (first stops): Barnes & Noble Author Event — Thursday, Feb 12, 2026 (5:00 PM ET) (Additional Louisville/Lexington dates are being coordinated—watch for the finalized store-by-store schedule.) ✅ Join The Academy (community + training): https://academy.specialeducationacademy.com/theepiciep-courses/the-academy/ “When we get it right for the child, we get it right for everybody.” — Karen Mayer Cunningham Support the show ✨ When we get it right for the child, we get it right for everybody. ✨ 👩‍⚖️ Hosted by Karen Mayer Cunningham, Advocate & Special Education Boss® Each week, Karen shares real stories, legal insights, and no-nonsense strategies to help you navigate special education with clarity and confidence. 👉 Subscribe & never miss an episode — new episodes drop every week! 🎓 Join The Academy: Weekly live trainings + 250+ hours of advocacy tools & expert resources 🔗 Learn more at The Academy 📬 Have a question? Email us at advocate@specialeducationacademy.com 📱 Follow Karen on: TikTok & Instagram: @specialeducationboss YouTube: Special Education Academy 🧠 Want to level up your advocacy game? Check out the Advocate's Bookshelf — a curated collection of must-have tools, guides, and legal references every special education advocate should own. From federal code to diagnostic manuals, these are the essentials that help you advocate with clarity and confidence. 📚 Browse now: https://amzn.to/3RiQPLl (As an Amazon Associate, Karen may earn a small commission if you make a purchase — at no extra cost to you.) ...

    1h 6m

  3. JAN 15

    When Schools Say “No”: AAC Updates, Triennials, Toileting Support, and Your IEP Rights (Q&A)

    Did your IEP team say “we don’t have staff,” “we’ll just do a records review,” or “they don’t qualify because grades are fine”? In this rapid-fire Q&A episode, Karen Mayer Cunningham (THE SPECIAL EDUCATION BOSS®) goes rogue and answers real questions from parents, educators, and advocates about what’s happening in schools right now—from missing AAC subscriptions to paras being left to “teach” SPED classes. In this episode, we cover: AAC devices + access: what to do when the school won’t update subscriptionsParaprofessionals: what they can do—and what they legally cannot doTriennials + “records review”: what’s required and when to push for testingToileting support: functional needs during the instructional day are not optionalBehavior + safety: when out-of-district placement becomes a real considerationWant your questions answered live? Join The Academy (your first month is FREE). We train every Monday night on federal requirements, then we open up for Q&A—because you have questions every week, and this is why we sit at the table prepared. ✅ Join The Academy: https://academy.specialeducationacademy.com/theepiciep-courses/the-academy/ 🎧 Listen to more episodes on Buzzsprout + YouTube 📘 Get The Epic IEP (official link): https://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1637635125?tag=simonsayscom Book Tour / Host a Training Location Interested in hosting Karen for a district, school, nonprofit, university, or community training? Email: angie@specialeducationlifeline.com Text: 606-776-3175 When we get it right for the child, we get it right for everybody. — Karen Mayer Cunningham Support the show ✨ When we get it right for the child, we get it right for everybody. ✨ 👩‍⚖️ Hosted by Karen Mayer Cunningham, Advocate & Special Education Boss® Each week, Karen shares real stories, legal insights, and no-nonsense strategies to help you navigate special education with clarity and confidence. 👉 Subscribe & never miss an episode — new episodes drop every week! 🎓 Join The Academy: Weekly live trainings + 250+ hours of advocacy tools & expert resources 🔗 Learn more at The Academy 📬 Have a question? Email us at advocate@specialeducationacademy.com 📱 Follow Karen on: TikTok & Instagram: @specialeducationboss YouTube: Special Education Academy 🧠 Want to level up your advocacy game? Check out the Advocate's Bookshelf — a curated collection of must-have tools, guides, and legal references every special education advocate should own. From federal code to diagnostic manuals, these are the essentials that help you advocate with clarity and confidence. 📚 Browse now: https://amzn.to/3RiQPLl (As an Amazon Associate, Karen may earn a small commission if you make a purchase — at no extra cost to you.) ...

    57 min

  4. JAN 8

    Stop Playing the “Draft IEP” Game + Why Paras Can’t Replace Certified SPED Minutes

    We’re back to school, and I’m not easing into anything. If your district is only giving parents “part of the draft,” if services are being missed because of staffing, or if someone is trying to use paraprofessionals to “cover” certified special education minutes—this episode is for you. Tonight we cover what teams are required to do, what’s simply “district preference,” and the fastest way to bring meetings back to what they’re supposed to be: an efficient business meeting that protects student outcomes. In this episode, we talk about: Why giving parents only “part of the draft” is a red flag (and a bad long game)The truth about accountability: we’re not battling teachers—we’re holding districts responsibleWhat the federal rules actually say about paraprofessionals (direct supervision, close proximity, frequent contact)What to do when your district “doesn’t have” a provider (and why compensatory services matter)When behavior rises above what general ed can support (hello, BIP)Tools I love for struggling readers: Learning Ally and KurzweilWant weekly training with us? Join the EPIC IEP Academy (Mondays) — your first month is FREE. Go to: Special Education Academy → Training → EPIC IEP Academy Use coupon code: NewYear2026 (New + Year capitalized) Get the book (The EPIC IEP) on Amazon here: https://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1637635125?tag=simonsayscom Interested in hosting a stop on the EPIC IEP Book Tour (2026)? Email: angie@specialeducationlifeline.com   We’re educating you so you can show up prepared at the IEP/504 table. “When we get it right for the child, we get it right for everybody.” — Karen Mayer Cunningham Support the show ✨ When we get it right for the child, we get it right for everybody. ✨ 👩‍⚖️ Hosted by Karen Mayer Cunningham, Advocate & Special Education Boss® Each week, Karen shares real stories, legal insights, and no-nonsense strategies to help you navigate special education with clarity and confidence. 👉 Subscribe & never miss an episode — new episodes drop every week! 🎓 Join The Academy: Weekly live trainings + 250+ hours of advocacy tools & expert resources 🔗 Learn more at The Academy 📬 Have a question? Email us at advocate@specialeducationacademy.com 📱 Follow Karen on: TikTok & Instagram: @specialeducationboss YouTube: Special Education Academy 🧠 Want to level up your advocacy game? Check out the Advocate's Bookshelf — a curated collection of must-have tools, guides, and legal references every special education advocate should own. From federal code to diagnostic manuals, these are the essentials that help you advocate with clarity and confidence. 📚 Browse now: https://amzn.to/3RiQPLl (As an Amazon Associate, Karen may earn a small commission if you make a purchase — at no extra cost to you.) ...

    59 min

  5. 12/25/2025

    Behavior Is Communication: Safety, Structure & Relationship with John Vergara

    What if we stopped calling kids “difficult”… and started getting honest about what difficult behavior is really communicating? In today’s episode, Karen Mayer Cunningham sits down with John Vergara (aka The Difficult Student) — an assistant principal over special education and one of the most impactful voices online when it comes to behavior, leadership, and building classroom culture that actually works. John shares his personal story — from being the student with challenging behavior to becoming a leader supporting teachers, paraprofessionals, and IEP teams across two schools. This conversation is real, practical, and grounded in what helps kids and protects learning for everyone in the room. ✨ What You’ll Learn Why John says “the student is good — it’s the behavior we work on”The 3-part foundation: safety → love → self-esteemWhy structure and procedures are not “strict”… they’re supportA simple mindset shift that changes everything for teachers in hard environmentsResources + Links ✅ Join The Academy (Skool Community): https://www.skool.com/special-education-academy/about ✅ Get Karen’s book The Epic IEP (official link): https://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1637635125?tag=simonsayscom Find John Vergara (The Difficult Student) Instagram / TikTok: @thedifficultstudentPodcast: The Difficult Student Podcast (Spotify / Apple / YouTube)If this episode helped you, follow the podcast, leave a review, and share it with a teacher, parent, or advocate who needs it. “When we get it right for the child, we get it right for everybody.” — Karen Mayer Cunningham Support the show ✨ When we get it right for the child, we get it right for everybody. ✨ 👩‍⚖️ Hosted by Karen Mayer Cunningham, Advocate & Special Education Boss® Each week, Karen shares real stories, legal insights, and no-nonsense strategies to help you navigate special education with clarity and confidence. 👉 Subscribe & never miss an episode — new episodes drop every week! 🎓 Join The Academy: Weekly live trainings + 250+ hours of advocacy tools & expert resources 🔗 Learn more at The Academy 📬 Have a question? Email us at advocate@specialeducationacademy.com 📱 Follow Karen on: TikTok & Instagram: @specialeducationboss YouTube: Special Education Academy 🧠 Want to level up your advocacy game? Check out the Advocate's Bookshelf — a curated collection of must-have tools, guides, and legal references every special education advocate should own. From federal code to diagnostic manuals, these are the essentials that help you advocate with clarity and confidence. 📚 Browse now: https://amzn.to/3RiQPLl (As an Amazon Associate, Karen may earn a small commission if you make a purchase — at no extra cost to you.) ...

    45 min

  6. 12/18/2025

    Ask the Advocate: Recording IEP Meetings, Paras, Inclusion, FAPE & Out-of-District Placement

    This week’s Ask the Advocate is a fast-paced Q&A covering what parents and educators are dealing with right now: staffing shortages, messy “tier” conversations, behavior needs being dismissed, and districts trying to move too fast (or stall completely) when the child needs support. 🧑‍🏫 Staffing, Paras, and “Who’s Allowed to Do What” Sub paras placed in self-contained/tier settings with no training—what to say and who to alertCan students be left alone with high school helpers?Can a short-term/long-term sub run a self-contained classroom for consecutive years?📚 IEP Process, Documentation, and Data PWN: getting the denial in writing and why it mattersWhy Karen doesn’t want “service logs”—she wants raw data collection sheets tied to IEP goals🚨 Behavior, Safety, and FAPE “IEPs are only for academics” — absolutely notElopement: when the BIP isn’t working, you need a new FBA/BIP and stronger supports🏫 Inclusion and Continuum of Placement “Inclusion only” with no pull-out/self-contained options = denial of the continuumOut-of-district placement: what documentation and patterns matter, and when it becomes urgentLinks & Resources 📘 Pre-order The Epic IEP + claim bonuses: Order on Amazon (or anywhere you buy books), then submit your receipt at theepiciep.com Book link: https://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1637635125?tag=simonsayscom Bonuses: https://www.theepiciep.com 🌐 Special Education Academy: https://www.specialeducationacademy.com 📩 Want to host a book tour training stop? Use the intake form on the website to get connected. Support the show ✨ When we get it right for the child, we get it right for everybody. ✨ 👩‍⚖️ Hosted by Karen Mayer Cunningham, Advocate & Special Education Boss® Each week, Karen shares real stories, legal insights, and no-nonsense strategies to help you navigate special education with clarity and confidence. 👉 Subscribe & never miss an episode — new episodes drop every week! 🎓 Join The Academy: Weekly live trainings + 250+ hours of advocacy tools & expert resources 🔗 Learn more at The Academy 📬 Have a question? Email us at advocate@specialeducationacademy.com 📱 Follow Karen on: TikTok & Instagram: @specialeducationboss YouTube: Special Education Academy 🧠 Want to level up your advocacy game? Check out the Advocate's Bookshelf — a curated collection of must-have tools, guides, and legal references every special education advocate should own. From federal code to diagnostic manuals, these are the essentials that help you advocate with clarity and confidence. 📚 Browse now: https://amzn.to/3RiQPLl (As an Amazon Associate, Karen may earn a small commission if you make a purchase — at no extra cost to you.) ...

    1h 3m

  7. 12/11/2025

    Ask the Advocate: Truancy, One-to-One Aides, LRE, and The Epic IEP Book

    In this Ask the Advocate episode, Karen Mayer Cunningham, Special Education Boss®, answers rapid-fire questions from parents, teachers, and advocates—and shares how her new book, The Epic IEP, gives you a clear roadmap to write and understand an IEP that actually serves the child. Karen and Cindy dig into real situations from the IEP/504 table, including: The Epic IEP & Pre-Order Bonuses – How the 7-part framework walks you through an IEP step by step, plus how to pre-order the book and unlock $500 in bonuses and group bundles for schools, agencies, and parent organizations.LRE, Placement & Services – Moving from early childhood services into life skills, what Least Restrictive Environment really means, and how to know if your child’s needs are being met.Paras, One-to-One Aides & Staffing – Whether a para can be alone with a student, if a teacher can leave all IEP minutes to a para, and why the phrase “special education para” is misleading.Behavior, Safety, Truancy & FAPE – When sending students home becomes a denial of FAPE, what to do if your child is hurt, restrained, or you only see part of a video, and how to respond when schools stop communicating.The Epic IEP Weekly Academy – weekly training on federal law, IEPs, and live Q&AThe Epic IEP 2-Day Intensive – live and on-demand deep-dive training📘 Pre-order The Epic IEP + bonuses: https://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1637635125?tag=simonsayscom Submit your receipt for bonuses: https://www.theepiciep.com 🏫 Learn with Karen weekly inside The Academy: https://www.specialeducationacademy.com 📩 Host Karen in your state: Email advocate@specialeducationacademy.com Support the show ✨ When we get it right for the child, we get it right for everybody. ✨ 👩‍⚖️ Hosted by Karen Mayer Cunningham, Advocate & Special Education Boss® Each week, Karen shares real stories, legal insights, and no-nonsense strategies to help you navigate special education with clarity and confidence. 👉 Subscribe & never miss an episode — new episodes drop every week! 🎓 Join The Academy: Weekly live trainings + 250+ hours of advocacy tools & expert resources 🔗 Learn more at The Academy 📬 Have a question? Email us at advocate@specialeducationacademy.com 📱 Follow Karen on: TikTok & Instagram: @specialeducationboss YouTube: Special Education Academy 🧠 Want to level up your advocacy game? Check out the Advocate's Bookshelf — a curated collection of must-have tools, guides, and legal references every special education advocate should own. From federal code to diagnostic manuals, these are the essentials that help you advocate with clarity and confidence. 📚 Browse now: https://amzn.to/3RiQPLl (As an Amazon Associate, Karen may earn a small commission if you make a purchase — at no extra cost to you.) ...

    54 min

  8. 12/04/2025

    Ask the Advocate: IEP Data, 504 vs IEP, Behavior, RTI, and Comp Time Q&A

    What do you do when the school’s “data” makes no sense, your child is stuck on a 504 instead of an IEP, or behavior is being blamed on your student instead of addressed in the plan? In this Ask the Advocate episode, Karen Mayer Cunningham, The Special Education Boss®, is answering rapid-fire questions from parents, teachers, and paras who are in the thick of it every day. All with humor, straight talk, and a whole lot of “you’re not crazy for asking.” 📚 The Epic IEP™ – Pre-Order + Bonuses Karen’s new book, The Epic IEP, releases next month! When you pre-order, you can come back and claim $500+ in bonuses. 👉 Order the book here: Official Amazon link: https://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1637635125?tag=simonsayscom 👉 Then claim your bonuses: Visit TheEpicIEP.com and submit your information to unlock your pre-order bonuses. 🎓 Train with Karen & Special Education Academy Ready for deeper training and community? Join The Academy (Skool community) Weekly live trainings, 250+ hours of replays, and practical tools for parents, paras, educators, and advocates. 👉 https://www.skool.com/special-education-academy/aboutNeed support at the table? Complete the intake form at SpecialEducationAcademy.com, and our team will connect you with a trained advocate partner.Like, follow, share, and subscribe so you never miss an episode. Send this to a parent, para, or teacher who needs backup at the IEP/504 table. Support the show ✨ When we get it right for the child, we get it right for everybody. ✨ 👩‍⚖️ Hosted by Karen Mayer Cunningham, Advocate & Special Education Boss® Each week, Karen shares real stories, legal insights, and no-nonsense strategies to help you navigate special education with clarity and confidence. 👉 Subscribe & never miss an episode — new episodes drop every week! 🎓 Join The Academy: Weekly live trainings + 250+ hours of advocacy tools & expert resources 🔗 Learn more at The Academy 📬 Have a question? Email us at advocate@specialeducationacademy.com 📱 Follow Karen on: TikTok & Instagram: @specialeducationboss YouTube: Special Education Academy 🧠 Want to level up your advocacy game? Check out the Advocate's Bookshelf — a curated collection of must-have tools, guides, and legal references every special education advocate should own. From federal code to diagnostic manuals, these are the essentials that help you advocate with clarity and confidence. 📚 Browse now: https://amzn.to/3RiQPLl (As an Amazon Associate, Karen may earn a small commission if you make a purchase — at no extra cost to you.) ...

    57 min
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Ratings & Reviews

4
out of 5
20 Ratings

About

The Special Education Boss® Podcast is where advocacy meets action. Join Karen Mayer Cunningham each week as she empowers parents and professionals to understand their rights, navigate the system, and show up strong at the IEP table.

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