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. 6D AGO

    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

  2. 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: @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 4m

  3. MAR 5

    Ask the Advocate: IEP Questions Parents Are Asking Right Now

    Ask the Advocate | Real IEP Questions from Parents and Educators Parents, teachers, and advocates ask hundreds of questions every week about special education. In this Ask the Advocate episode, Karen Mayer Cunningham answers real questions submitted during a live TikTok session about IEP meetings, services, evaluations, and advocacy. Topics include what to do when a student is not receiving services listed in the IEP, how Extended School Year (ESY)eligibility works, when compensatory services may be appropriate, and how parents can advocate effectively when schools are not implementing supports. Karen also shares practical strategies for asking better questions in IEP meetings, understanding Prior Written Notice (PWN), and navigating conversations with school teams. Karen Mayer Cunningham, also known as the Special Education Boss®, trains parents, educators, and advocates to understand the special education system and advocate successfully for students with disabilities. You don’t know what you don’t know—but you need to. Key Questions Answered in This Episode • What should parents do if an IEP is not being implemented? • When does a child qualify for Extended School Year (ESY)? • Can schools reduce services without data? • How do you become a special education advocate? • What role do paraprofessionals play in special education? Resources MentionedJoin The Epic IEP™ AcademyAttend the 2-Day Special Education Advocacy IntensiveGet the book The Epic IEP™We train everyone at the IEP/504 table to navigate and negotiate successful student outcomes. 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: @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.) ...

    1 hr

  4. MAR 3

    From Classroom to Advocate: What Schools Do When You Bring an Advocate to the IEP Table

    What really happens when an advocate walks into an IEP meeting? In this powerful episode of Special Education Boss®, Karen Mayer Cunningham sits down with Paige Fitzgerald and Kate Magaldi, former special educators turned full-time advocates and founders of Inclusive Educational Practices. Together, they pull back the curtain on what happens behind the scenes when an advocate is present at the IEP table—and why outcomes shift when someone trained in special education advocacy enters the room. They share: ✨ Why schools often react differently when an advocate attends ✨ What teachers are (and aren’t) trained to understand about IDEA ✨ Why parents often know something is wrong—but need help articulating it ✨ The difference between combative advocacy and collaborative leadership ✨ Why relationships—not intimidation—create long-term change This conversation is honest, practical, and encouraging for: Parents navigating difficult IEP meetingsEducators who want to do special education betterAnyone who has ever felt overwhelmed at the IEP table📲 Download the Special Education Academy app 📘 Get your copy of The Epic IEP™ 🎓 Join The Academy Connect with Kate and Paige:  www.iepractices.com Instagram: IEPractices TikTok: @advocatekate TikTok: @advocatepaige Their Weekly Newsletter Listen, share, and subscribe so you don’t miss future episodes. 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: @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

  5. FEB 26

    IEP Implementation, ESY & Compensatory Services | Ask the Advocate LIVE

    Guess who’s back? In this Ask the Advocate live session, Karen Mayer Cunningham answers rapid-fire questions from families and educators about: IEP implementation failuresParaprofessional layoffs and 1:1 supportExtended School Year (ESY) eligibilityCompensatory servicesDue process documentationPlacement vs. eligibilityResource classroom requirementsEndrew F. and the FAPE standardEvaluation delays and what to do nextThis episode is real talk from someone who has represented families all the way through dispute resolution—and trained thousands to sit at the table prepared. 📚 Resources Mentioned 📘 The Epic IEP™ 🎓 Join The Academy 🟢 2-Day Advocacy Intensive (Live Virtual) March 7–8 | 9 AM–5 PM CST ⚖️ We are not giving legal advice. We are educating you. Do you know your rights? You don’t know what you don’t know—but you need to. 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: @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.) ...

    49 min

  6. FEB 19

    RTI Is NOT a Gatekeeper + Why Schools Can’t Delay Evaluations (Live Q&A Fire)

    Guess who’s back? Fresh off the inaugural Epic IEP™ World Book Tour — eight stops in five days, professional developments, book signings, and hundreds of powerful conversations — Karen is back answering your biggest special education questions in real time. And this one is packed. From RTI misuse and delayed evaluations… To schools sending kids home for behavior… To missing related service minutes… To paraprofessionals not being allowed to see the IEP (yes, that happened)… We are breaking it down. ✨ In This Episode, Karen Covers: Why RTI, MTSS, and tier systems cannot delay a special education evaluationThe truth about 504 Plans vs IEPs (and yes… follow the money)How to request data (and what federal law says about access)Why paraprofessionals must have access to the IEPHow to respond when a district drags its feetIf you’re feeling defeated, overwhelmed, or talked down to at the table — this episode is your reset. You don’t know what you don’t know — but you need to. 📚 Get The Epic IEP™ | Available wherever books are sold If the book has helped you, please leave a review. It helps other families find it. 🎓 Join The Academy (First Month Free) Over 400+ hours of archived trainings and weekly live coaching: 🎟️ Upcoming Trainings 2-Day LIVE Virtual Intensive: March 7–8 2-Day LIVE In-Person Intensive: May 30–31 | Lexington, Kentucky Limited seating. We train everyone at the IEP/504 table to navigate and negotiate successful student outcomes. When we get it right for the child, we get it right for everyone. — 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 Epic IEP™ Academy First month free, after that, cancel anytime. 📱 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

  7. FEB 12

    From 504s to One-on-Ones: Real Talk from the IEP Table | Special Education Boss®

    “Data doesn’t have feelings. It has evidence.” In this high-energy TikTok Live replay, Karen Mayer Cunningham dives headfirst into real-time questions from parents, teachers, and advocates navigating the special education process. Karen brings clarity, humor, and decades of experience to the conversation — reminding us that preparation beats panic every time. ✨ In This Episode, We Cover: The difference between a 504 Plan and an IEP (and why it matters)When a one-on-one paraprofessional is appropriate — and when it’s notCan you record an IEP meeting? (Know your state rights.)When suspension triggers an MDRHow to think through behavior plans (FBA vs. BIP)Karen also shares exciting updates on: 📘 The Epic IEP™ (USA Today National Bestseller) 📕 The upcoming Epic IEP™ Federal & State Law Guide 📗 The soon-to-release Epic IEP™ Paraprofessional Handbook 🎓 The 2-Day Special Education Advocacy Intensive (Live + On-Demand) 👩‍🏫 The Mastermind for future advocates 🚀 Ready to Go Deeper? Join The Academy (first month free): You don’t know what you don’t know — but you need to. 📚 Grab Your Copy of The Epic IEP™ 🎧 Listen. Subscribe. Share. If this episode helped you, share it with a parent, educator, or advocate who needs to hear it. Because when we sit at the table prepared, outcomes change. “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 Epic IEP™ Academy First month free, after that, cancel anytime. 📱 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 21m

  8. FEB 5

    IEP Meetings, Procedural Safeguards & What Schools Don’t Want to Put in Writing | Ask the Advocate

    In this Ask the Advocate episode of Special Education Boss®, Karen Mayer Cunningham answers real questions from parents, educators, and advocates navigating complex IEP issues — from unfinished Monday meetings to missing data, procedural safeguards, graduation pathways, and transition services. In this episode, you’ll learn: Why IEP meetings so often stall — and what must happen before they continueThe difference between a diploma vs. certificate of attendanceHow procedural safeguards actually work (and how to invoke them)What to do when schools claim a child was “overserved” — without dataWhy homework cannot count as special education servicesWhat meaningful transition services should look like (and what doesn’t count)Karen also shares updates on The Epic IEP™ book, upcoming trainings, the national book tour, and how educators can transition into advocacy work with the right training and support. You don’t know what you don’t know — but you need to. This episode helps you walk into IEP and 504 meetings informed, confident, and prepared. 🎓 Join The Academy Get access to 250+ hours of training, weekly coaching, and step-by-step guidance: https://academy.specialeducationacademy.com/theepiciep-courses/the-academy/ 📘 Get the #1 Bestseller  The Epic IEP™: A Powerful Playbook for Parents, Educators, and Advocates 👉 https://amzn.to/3Ll0Dos 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 Epic IEP™ Academy First month free, after that, cancel anytime. 📱 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.) ...

    41 min
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Ratings & Reviews

4
out of 5
21 Ratings

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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.

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