The Intentional IEP Podcast

Stephanie DeLussey

Are you drowning in IEP paperwork and feeling overwhelmed by the special education process? The Intentional IEP Podcast is your go-to resource for teachers looking to navigate the complexities of Individualized Education Programs, write effective IEPs, and tackle all things related to special education. Join Stephanie, a dual-certified special education teacher, IEP coach, and author, as she transforms the overwhelming IEP process into manageable, actionable steps. Drawing from years of classroom experience, Stephanie understands the challenges you face—from writing legally compliant IEP goals to managing special education documentation while still finding time to actually teach. Every Monday, you can expect conversations like: Evidence-based IEP writing strategies that save you time Special education compliance guidelines made simple Effective IEP goal development techniques Data collection methods that work in real classrooms Practical special needs accommodations and modifications IEP best practices to invoke a more collaborative IEP process Breaking down IEP implementation The ins and outs of IEP meetings Whether you're a special education teacher, general education teacher collaborating on inclusive education, school psychologist, or educational administrator, The Intentional IEP Podcast will provide you with the support to help students with learning disabilities, autism spectrum disorder, ADHD, and other exceptional needs. Some weeks, Stephanie shares her expertise on best practices for IEP meetings, parent communication, and special education advocacy. Other weeks, expert guests join the conversation to provide diverse perspectives on disability services and educational interventions. Stop spending your evenings writing IEPs and start implementing a more intentional approach to special education. Together, we'll focus less on paperwork and more on what really matters—creating inclusive classrooms where all students can thrive. Because every student deserves an education plan that's as unique as they are. Let’s make IEPs more effective, more efficient, and way less stressful—together. Welcome to The Intentional IEP Podcast!

  1. 2D AGO

    E43. Prioritizing IEP Goals

    You sit down to plan your week, look at your caseload, and immediately feel the pressure. Communication goals. Reading fluency. Fine motor. Math facts. Social skills. Behavior. All of it matters. But how are you supposed to work on everything without burning out? In this episode Stephanie tackles the question every special educator asks at some point: How do we actually prioritize IEP goals when time, staffing, and student needs are pulling us in ten different directions? The truth is you cannot target every goal at once. And that is not failure. It is strategy. Prioritizing the right goals at the right time is what moves you from survival mode to impact mode. In this episode Stephanie covers: • How to identify and sequence foundational skills that unlock other IEP goals • Simple systems like task boxes, team communication, and shared goal awareness to create consistency • A practical classroom rotation model to maximize limited time and focus on high impact priorities Prioritizing IEP goals is not about doing less. It is about doing what matters most first. You are not failing your students because you cannot hit every goal every day. Check out the IEP Matrix: https://www.theintentionaliep.com/the-iep-matrix/ Learn how to use IEP Work Bins: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Um2CoF6KaQw Not a member? Join Today — you can get 50% off your first month of membership https://products.theintentionaliep.com/tii-membership-50off1stmonth-podcast/ For more information, check out more of Stephanie's resources: https://www.theintentionaliep.com/the-intentional-iep-book/ https://www.theintentionaliep.com/ https://www.facebook.com/theintentionaliep https://www.instagram.com/theintentionaliep

    21 min
  2. FEB 16

    E42. Helping Students Build Independence

    Stephanie brings listeners into one of the most important skills we can teach our students independence. It’s not about making our lives easier or stepping back because we’re tired. It’s about helping students gain confidence, take initiative, and develop the skills they need to succeed both in and out of the classroom. In this episode, she shares practical strategies to guide students toward doing more on their own while supporting their growth along the way. Stephanie covers • Why independence matters for students’ confidence and learning • How to start in the zone of proximal development and scaffold effectively • Using prompting hierarchies and fading support over time • Modeling skills, repeating, and helping students generalize across settings • Allowing students to make mistakes and learn from them By the end of this episode, you’ll have concrete ideas for helping students take the lead, step back just enough to let them try, and celebrate the small wins that show real progress. Stephanie reminds us that every step toward independence matters and that with intentional support, students can achieve more than we often realize. Not a member? Join Today — you can get 50% off your first month of membership https://products.theintentionaliep.com/tii-membership-50off1stmonth-podcast/ For more information, check out more of Stephanie's resources: https://www.theintentionaliep.com/the-intentional-iep-book/ https://www.theintentionaliep.com/ https://www.facebook.com/theintentionaliep https://www.instagram.com/theintentionaliep

    10 min
  3. JAN 26

    E39. The Power of IEP Impact Statements

    One short paragraph can make or break an IEP. And yet impact statements are often rushed, copied forward, or treated like filler. In this episode Stephanie breaks down IEP impact statements in a way that actually makes them useful, meaningful, and legally sound. You’ll learn what an impact statement really is, why it matters so much, and how to write one that clearly connects a student’s disability to their educational needs. We cover: What an IEP impact statement is (and what it is not)Why impact statements are the bridge between eligibility and servicesThe exact data you need before you start writingSimple sentence starters and plug and play templates you can reuseReal world examples that show what strong impact statements look likeWhere impact statements belong in the IEP You’ll also hear reflection prompts to help you evaluate whether your current impact statements actually explain why the rest of the IEP exists. This episode is perfect for special education teachers, case managers, and IEP team members who want to move beyond compliance language and write statements that truly reflect the student sitting in front of them. If this episode helped bring clarity, share it with a teammate or a newer teacher who’s still figuring out how all the IEP pieces fit together. Not a member? Join Today — you can get 50% off your first month of membership https://products.theintentionaliep.com/tii-membership-50off1stmonth-podcast/ For more information, check out more of Stephanie's resources: https://www.theintentionaliep.com/the-intentional-iep-book/ https://www.theintentionaliep.com/ https://www.facebook.com/theintentionaliep https://www.instagram.com/theintentionaliep

    14 min

Trailer

4.9
out of 5
19 Ratings

About

Are you drowning in IEP paperwork and feeling overwhelmed by the special education process? The Intentional IEP Podcast is your go-to resource for teachers looking to navigate the complexities of Individualized Education Programs, write effective IEPs, and tackle all things related to special education. Join Stephanie, a dual-certified special education teacher, IEP coach, and author, as she transforms the overwhelming IEP process into manageable, actionable steps. Drawing from years of classroom experience, Stephanie understands the challenges you face—from writing legally compliant IEP goals to managing special education documentation while still finding time to actually teach. Every Monday, you can expect conversations like: Evidence-based IEP writing strategies that save you time Special education compliance guidelines made simple Effective IEP goal development techniques Data collection methods that work in real classrooms Practical special needs accommodations and modifications IEP best practices to invoke a more collaborative IEP process Breaking down IEP implementation The ins and outs of IEP meetings Whether you're a special education teacher, general education teacher collaborating on inclusive education, school psychologist, or educational administrator, The Intentional IEP Podcast will provide you with the support to help students with learning disabilities, autism spectrum disorder, ADHD, and other exceptional needs. Some weeks, Stephanie shares her expertise on best practices for IEP meetings, parent communication, and special education advocacy. Other weeks, expert guests join the conversation to provide diverse perspectives on disability services and educational interventions. Stop spending your evenings writing IEPs and start implementing a more intentional approach to special education. Together, we'll focus less on paperwork and more on what really matters—creating inclusive classrooms where all students can thrive. Because every student deserves an education plan that's as unique as they are. Let’s make IEPs more effective, more efficient, and way less stressful—together. Welcome to The Intentional IEP Podcast!

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