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. 5D AGO

    What Special Ed Teachers Need You to Know | Chana Dixon & Karen Mayer Cunningham | Special Education Boss

    Nobody prepared you for what it actually feels like to sit across from a teacher in an IEP meeting. And nobody prepared that teacher for what it feels like when you walk in. Karen Mayer Cunningham, Special Education Boss, sits down with Chana Dixon - special education supervisor with 23 years in the field - for one of the most honest conversations in special education. This is not about paperwork. This is about people. In this episode: - Why special educators are on an island. In most schools, special ed teachers are the minority. They have no peers to collaborate with, no one to bounce ideas off, and the only time they interact with the broader team is at IEP meetings - which are already stressful for everyone. - The IEP meeting is also an evaluation of the teacher. When you are reviewing a document of deficits, you are also evaluating the person who wrote it. Chana breaks down why teachers feel attacked even when no attack is intended. - How to communicate in an IEP meeting without making teachers feel blamed. Chana's reframe: instead of asking why a student is not learning a skill, ask the teacher to show you how that student needs to learn it. That one shift changes everything. - Why professional development for special educators is almost entirely compliance-based. It is not about filling teachers up. It is about making sure they did not miss a checkbox. - Why teachers stay. It is not the money. It is the kids. Period. - The Epic IEP Academy for Educators is coming in June. Karen and Chana are co-leading a space built specifically for special educators - a community, a training ground, and a place where educators are finally seen. Resources: Special Education Academy: specialeducationacademy.com Epic IEP Book Bundle: theepiciep.com Email: advocate@specialeducationacademy.com Karen Mayer Cunningham is the Special Education Boss - advocate, trainer, and bestselling author of the Epic IEP book series. Her mission: get it right for the child, get it right for everybody. Subscribe for live Ask the Advocate sessions every Monday at 8PM inside the Special Education Academy. 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 Epic IEP™ Academy  First month free, after that, cancel anytime.  📱 Follow Karen on: TikTok & Instagram: @specialeducationbossYouTube: 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.) Because when...

    1h 9m

  2. APR 23

    Can They Drop the IEP by Phone? Remove Kids on Test Day? Skip Resource? No, No, and No.

    Can a teacher call you on the phone and ask if you want to drop your IEP and go to a 504? Can the school relocate self-contained students because they are too loud during state testing? Can your principal tell you the campus does not have resource? No. No. And absolutely not. HERE'S WHAT KAREN COVERS: → Why resource rooms are required under IDEA 300.115 and what to do if your school says they eliminated resource → The two MDR questions both must be answered — and what happens when the school tries to skip the second one → Compensatory services explained — who owes the time, who serves the time, and how to structure it → Relocating self-contained students on state testing days is illegal — that is an out-of-placement violation → Educational need vs. academic need — why a disability does not have to affect academics to qualify for services → Dysgraphia vs. written expression — why the eligibility matters more than the label → The Epic IEP Educator Academy launches June 1st — $27 per month, Monday nights at 7 PM Central, solely for school district employees → Can IEP students receive failing grades? Can kindergartners be placed in self-contained for behaviors? What is the difference between logs and data? You don't know what you don't know — but you need to. This is why we sit at the table prepared. GET THE EPIC IEP BOOK BUNDLE — including the Epic IEP, the Federal and State Laws Guide, and the Epic IEP Para. JOIN SPECIAL EDUCATION ACADEMY — first month free, 400+ hours of training, live every Monday at 8 PM Central. 2-DAY LIVE SPECIAL EDUCATION ADVOCACY INTENSIVE — May 23 and 24 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 Epic IEP™ Academy  First month free, after that, cancel anytime.  📱 Follow Karen on: TikTok & Instagram: @specialeducationbossYouTube: 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.) Because when...

    1h 13m

  3. APR 16

    Procedural Safeguards, Child Find, Prior Written Notice, and Parent Rights in Special Education

    In this live Q&A episode, Karen Mayer Cunningham answers real questions from parents, educators, and advocates about some of the biggest special education issues showing up right now. From dyslexia tools and ADHD support to paraprofessional roles, raw data, ESY, reading levels, 18–21 transition services, and IEP service minutes, this conversation is packed with practical insight to help you show up more prepared at the table. In this episode, Karen covers: ✨ Tools that may support students with dyslexia, including Learning Ally and Kurzweil ✨ Whether behavior services can be provided under SLD eligibility ✨ What paraprofessionals can and cannot do in special education settings ✨ What “raw data” means and why families ask for it ✨ How to think about reading levels, progress monitoring, and instructional need ✨ What ESY means and the two-part question teams should be asking ✨ Questions around transition services, 18–21 programming, and community readiness ✨ How educators can document concerns when students need more support than general education can provide Karen also shares updates on new resources, including The Epic IEP™ Para, The Epic IEP™ Guide to Federal and State Laws, and what’s coming next for educators inside the Special Education Academy community. Resources + Next Steps Join The Epic IEP™ Academy here. Explore Karen’s trainings, books, and resources, here.  Be sure to follow, like, share, and subscribe so you never miss an episode of Special Education Boss®. Important Reminder We’re not giving legal advice. We’re educating you. 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 Epic IEP™ Academy  First month free, after that, cancel anytime.  📱 Follow Karen on: TikTok & Instagram: @specialeducationbossYouTube: 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.) Because when...

    1h 22m

  4. APR 9

    Can a Paraprofessional replace a special educatin teacher?

    Can a paraprofessional replace a special education teacher in the classroom? What tools actually help kids with dyslexia? And what is ESY — really? In this LIVE Q&A, Karen Mayer Cunningham answers real questions from parents, advocates, and educators about the issues showing up in IEP meetings right now, with 35 days left in the school year. Here's what Karen covers: → What paraprofessionals can and cannot do under NCLB and ESSA — and why the new Epic IEP Para book changes the conversation → The best assistive technology tools for students with dyslexia: Learning Ally and Kurzweil → How to handle homework battles when your ADHD student is failing — and what data to bring to the IEP meeting → What "raw data" actually means and how to ask for it → How to do a 3-minute cold read and a 3-minute cold write to find your child's real reading level → The two-prong ESY question most schools only half-answer → Why consult minutes are not the same as direct services → What to know before you file due process → LRE is not a location — it's a consideration → The 18-to-21 transition program and vocational readiness → NEW: The Epic IEP Educator Academy launches June 1st — weekly training built specifically for school district employees You don't know what you don't know — but you need to. This is why we sit at the table prepared. 📚 Get the Epic IEP book bundle, including the brand-new Epic IEP Para guide 🎓 Join Special Education Academy, first month free, 400+ hours of training, live every Monday at 8 PM Central.  📅 2-Day Live Virtual Special Education Advocacy Intensive: May 23–24 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 Epic IEP™ Academy  First month free, after that, cancel anytime.  📱 Follow Karen on: TikTok & Instagram: @specialeducationbossYouTube: 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.) Because when...

    1h 20m

  5. APR 2

    The Para Problem: What Every Parent and Advocate Needs to Know Right Now

    Can a paraprofessional deliver specially designed instruction? What are the paraprofessional laws in your state? And what happens when a school district admits — in writing — that no certified special educator has been in the classroom all year? In this episode of the Special Education Boss® podcast, Karen Mayer Cunningham breaks down a real IEP meeting in Texas where the district's own deliberations confirmed that a general education teacher delivered the specially designed instruction and a paraprofessional collected IEP goal data — with no special educator involved. All year. In Houston. On the record. Karen walks through what federal law actually requires, what your state statute says, and why "district guidance" that contradicts IDEA is not guidance — it's a violation. What you'll learn in this episode: — Can a paraprofessional implement IEP goals? Only under three conditions: direct supervision, close proximity, and frequent contact from a certified special educator. — What is the continuum of alternative placements? It's federal law under IDEA — not a suggestion your district gets to edit. Resource rooms, special classes, home instruction, and hospital settings are all required options. — What is Andrew F. v. Douglas County School District? The 2017 Supreme Court decision that unanimously ruled schools must write IEPs that enable students to make progress appropriate in light of their circumstances. Ask your principal when the district-wide training on this case is scheduled. — What are the seven components of Prior Written Notice? All seven are legally required. N/A is not an option. — Who can modify assignments in special education? Not a paraprofessional. Not a general education teacher. Only a certified special educator. — What are paraprofessional requirements under ESSA and No Child Left Behind? The Epic IEP Para book covers every state's statute, federal requirements, and what paraprofessionals legally cannot do. This episode references special education law and practice in Texas, California, Kentucky, Florida, Georgia, New Jersey, and New York. Karen also announces the brand-new Epic IEP Para book, now available on Amazon, covering federal law, No Child Left Behind, ESSA, and every state's statute on paraprofessional requi 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 Epic IEP™ Academy  First month free, after that, cancel anytime.  📱 Follow Karen on: TikTok & Instagram: @specialeducationbossYouTube: 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.) Because when...

    1h 2m

  6. MAR 26

    Paras, Pain Plans & the Truth Nobody Told You | Ask the Advocate

    If someone at your school said it was fine without showing you the law - it probably was not fine. Karen Mayor Cunningham answers your live questions on this Ask the Advocate session of Special Education Boss. She brought the federal statutes, the DSM-5, and zero patience for made-up rules. In this episode: - The brand-new Epic IEP Para book: all 50 states, all federal laws from 1965 to 2015, everything you need to know about what paras can and cannot legally do. - AAC rights: what to do when your child's communication device is removed without your knowledge. - Autism eligibility: no, a child does not need to flap their hands to qualify. Karen walks through the actual DSM-5 criteria. - 504 vs. IEP: why accommodations alone may not be enough, and how a 504 can be amended without ever notifying the parent. - Self-contained classrooms: why Karen believes cameras should be required in every single one. - Plus: paras left alone with students, one-to-one support, eloping, chronic pain, ADHD and IEP eligibility, modified testing, and more. Resources: theepiciep.com/para (NEW Epic IEP Para book) theepiciep.com (book bundle) specialeducationacademy.com advocate@specialeducationacademy.com Karen Mayor Cunningham is the Special Education Boss - advocate, trainer, and bestselling author of the Epic IEP book series. Her mission: get it right for the child, get it right for everybody. Subscribe for live Ask the Advocate sessions every Monday at 8 PM inside the Special Education Academy™. 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 Epic IEP™ Academy  First month free, after that, cancel anytime.  📱 Follow Karen on: TikTok & Instagram: @specialeducationbossYouTube: 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.) Because when...

    55 min

  7. MAR 19

    From Struggle to Strength: ADHD, Dyslexia & Real-World Success

    What happens when a student with ADHD and dyslexia doesn’t get boxed in—but instead learns how to push forward anyway? In this powerful conversation, Karen Mayer Cunningham sits down with Sean Foley to talk about what it really looks like to grow up with learning differences—and why success isn’t about labels, it’s about strategy, support, and resilience. In This Episode: Sean shares his journey navigating ADHD, dyslexia, and academic challenges—from early testing and accommodations to earning his MBA and building a successful career in sales and leadership. Together, Karen and Sean break down what worked, what didn’t, and what parents, educators, and advocates need to understand right now. You’ll Learn: ✨ The difference between accommodations and true support ✨ Why labels like ADHD can help—or hurt—depending on how they’re used ✨ The role of grit, repetition, and confidence in long-term success ✨ Why standardized testing doesn’t define intelligence or potential ✨ How early intervention (and the right mindset) changes everything ✨ The importance of personal development beyond the classroom Key Takeaway: Not every child learns the same—and that’s not a weakness. It’s a different pathway that requires awareness, strategy, and support. Do you know your rights? You don’t know what you don’t know—but you need to. Connect with Sean Foley: Instagram: @seanmfoley_ LinkedIn: Sean Foley (Scottsdale, AZ) Ready to go deeper? Join The Epic IEP Academy, attend the 2-day Intensive, train On-Demand, or join us for the Mastermind.  We have training for everyone who sits at the table.   Explore more episodes on Buzzsprout and YouTube Follow, like, share, and subscribe to stay informed and prepared 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 Epic IEP™ Academy  First month free, after that, cancel anytime.  📱 Follow Karen on: TikTok & Instagram: @specialeducationbossYouTube: 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.) Because when...

    28 min

  8. MAR 12

    Vision Impairment in Special Education, What Parents and IEP Teams Must Know

    Most people sitting at an IEP table understand autism, dyslexia, and speech services. But when a student with a visual impairment enters the conversation, many teams suddenly realize something important… They don’t actually know how vision services work. In this episode of Special Education Boss®, Karen Mayer Cunningham sits down with Abel Perez, CEO, from Ready Sight Go, a Certified Teacher of the Visually Impaired (CTVI) and Orientation & Mobility Specialist (O&M). Together, they unpack one of the most misunderstood disability areas in special education, vision impairment. Abel shares his personal story of growing up with a learning disability, dropping out of high school, and eventually discovering how access, accommodations, and proper support can completely change a student’s future. This conversation dives deep into: ✨ How visual impairments affect learning and independence ✨ Why accommodations are about access , not advantage ✨ The role of Teachers of the Visually Impaired (TVIs) ✨ What the Expanded Core Curriculum (ECC) means for blind and visually impaired students ✨ Why behavior issues are often actually access issues If you sit at an IEP or 504 table, parent, educator, administrator, or advocate, this episode will help you better understand what real access looks like for students with visual impairments. Connect with Abel, Ready Sight Go, https://readysightgo.com Want to Learn More About IEP Advocacy? Join The Epic IEP™ Academy for weekly trainings and step-by-step guidance on navigating special education. https://academy.specialeducationacademy.com/theepiciep-courses/the-academy/ 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 Epic IEP™ Academy  First month free, after that, cancel anytime.  📱 Follow Karen on: TikTok & Instagram: @specialeducationbossYouTube: 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.) Because when...

    1h 4m
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Ratings & Reviews

3.9
out of 5
22 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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