Special Education Inner Circle

Grab your coffee, and join me in a candid chat about what's brewing in the special education world. In this episode, we chat about two hot topics: 1. It's not just about more money for Special Education, but how we use it. Ever thought about looking into your district's budget? Let's talk about making every dollar count. 2. Special Education or No Special Education? It's a heated debate, but at it...

Have you ever been told IEPs are just for academics? Not true! This episode shares how we can use IEPs as a travel hack to help families hit the road with confidence! IEPs can help children build skills for family road trips, plane travel, and anything in between. Waiting in lines, time management, flexibility when plans change - these are so key for vacation success. As parents and teachers, we n...

When a parent discovered secret behavior data about her child, mistrust between school and family deepened. Open communication is critical in special education. Kids thrive when parents and schools collaborate, not compete. We must choose understanding over mistrust and partnership over secrecy. Listen and learn the next step this parent needs to take to get her child's education back on track thr...

Let's jump into my inbox and discuss two key questions that came my way this week! First, we tackle what to do as a Special Education teacher when you inherit IEPs that are not up to standards. IEPs that are stuffed with unimportant goals or goals written inappropriately are not okay! Next, If you're a single mom or a struggling teacher and you're thinking about becoming a Master IEP Coach®, but y...

I found a book for you to add to your Special Education resources!  Inclusion game-changer "Leadership Strategies for Schoolwide Inclusion" shows you the details for making inclusion work using the STAR method. From admin leadership to Special Education and General Education collaboration, it covers everything you need to win at inclusion. In this episode, I share my top takeaways for assessing yo...

Schools are facing massive paraprofessional shortages, leaving Special Education support inconsistent.  In this episode, I share two simple tips to help a child learn comfortably even with daily staff changes. With these strategies, a child can stay confident and access their school day despite staffing struggles. FREE Time Saving IEP Prep Guide for Parents and Teachers https://www.masteriepcoach....

Accessible technology to practice social skills and explore the community, yes, please! I interviewed Vijay Ravindran, founder of Floreo, about using virtual reality to help neurodiverse children learn new skills in a creative way. Floreo provides immersive practice for real-world skills like street crossing in a safe, engaging environment. This innovative technology is already enhancing outcomes...

Forget digging through IEP goal banks or guessing at goals - there's an easier way! Learn a simple 3-step system for writing the IEP goals that have children eager to learn and Special Education teachers excited to teach. -Learn how to recognize W.R.O.N.G. goals that may look good on paper but they are stalling a child's progress -Easily identify the R.I.G.H.T. goals a child needs to make meaningf...

End the constant tug-of-war in IEP meetings. It's time to find compromise on inflexible goals, assistive technology needs, and ESY qualifications. Listen and learn strategies for what to consider when you are stuck in the "I want" vs. "they want" battles.  Read the full blog post and get definitions of Assistive Technology and ESY qualifications: https://www.masteriepcoach.com/blog/iep-tug-of-war-...

As special education faces a teacher shortage crisis, where can we find solutions? Tune in to hear Catherine interview Jaime from BlazerWorks on innovative approaches to find, support, and retain teachers. You'll learn how we can work collectively to weather this storm. With new mentoring programs and grassroots efforts to recruit talent, there is hope ahead! Links Mentioned In This Episode: Blaze...

Key insights on special education I wish more people understood: Honest conversations are required for effective IEPs. ESY not just for regression; know the criteria. No surprises at IEP meetings. Inclusion is an experience, not a place. Special ed is a service, not a place. Let's reshape conversations to build meaningful IEPs and inclusive schools.  Share to spread the change in Special Education...

There's a big difference between bringing knowledge and bringing wisdom to the IEP table. Catherine shows you how to: Understand the difference between leading with knowledge and leading with wisdom. Explore the concept of creating an inclusive experience rather than merely ticking boxes. Learn how wisdom bridges the gap between legal compliance and effective IEP. Discover actionable ways to combi...

Let's chat about an incredibly important topic: helping parents navigate the special education system. You might be wondering if you need to be a jack-of-all-trades in the world of special education to become a Master IEP Coach®. Spoiler alert: You don't have to be!  That's just one of the myths about becoming a Master IEP Coach®. Listen to all 3 Myths in this episode and find out if what's holdin...

Transition planning, to put it simply, ensures that there's a smooth shift from school life to post-school activities. These activities could include things like postsecondary education, vocational training, employment, independent living, and community engagement. The idea is to avoid that sudden drop-off feeling after the last day of school, where students feel like they're stepping off a cliff...

Eloping and wandering can cause panic for both parents and teachers, but what if there's a solution you haven't thought of before? I can't wait to share AngelSense with you! AngelSense promotes independence, builds important life skills, and increases the overall quality of life for both a child and their family. Get ready to embrace a new level of safety and independence! Key Moments:
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Today, let's talk about sensory breaks in IEPs. They are crucial, but we need to ensure they're tailored to each child's needs. I have a game-changing tool for you - the Hoglet, a fidget mouse that seamlessly integrates sensory support into a child's day. Plus, I'll be giving away some Hoglets to lucky listeners! Join me in rethinking sensory breaks and empowering our children with self-advocacy s...

The Calm Strips team is back! Learn how Calm Strips has evolved from simple tools to interactive mindfulness strategies. We can all use "Just Breathe" reminders that you just can't ignore! Bonus, if you're a busy parent navigating IEPs AND you have big dreams to change the disability community… stay tuned till the end. Michael and Luce give beautiful encouragement for you to follow your dreams. St...

A tech tool that makes IEP implementation easier AND puts the child first... yes, please!   Special Education Parents and Teachers - this new solution from IEP and Me might just be your answer to start simplifying the IEP process for you and your child/students. Parents start your free account here and invite your teachers to join your child's IEP and Me team: https://iepandme.com/ Download your F...

If you have ever experienced low expectations at the IEP table as a parent or as a teacher for your child or students who have complex support needs, this episode is for you! I recently read an incredible book called Equitable and Inclusive IEPs for Students with Complex Support Needs: A Roadmap. The authors, Dr. Andrea L. Ruppar and Dr. Jennifer Kurth, explore how educators can create a meaningfu...

In this episode, I share the main takeaways from my recent keynote speech at the Teach Your Heart Out Conference. My biggest goal was to share something impactful with the special and general educators who were in attendance. It seemed like the perfect chance to share three big truths surrounding special education, IEPs, and inclusion.   If you're an educator or a parent of a child with special ne...

In today's episode, we're going to dive into an ever-changing aspect of our children's development—communication, and listening skills. It's easy to assume that the challenges children face in our noisy world are just a part of life, but what if we could find simple solutions to help children overcome the additional listening and communication struggles happening every day? If you've ever had list...

I'm bringing back one of our most listened episodes from the Summer of 2022. The strategies in this episode need to be used over and over to build better IEPs... let's see where you're at this year compared to last year.  Home to School Communication: Daily sheets are cool, but are they giving you the juicy details you need? Let's customize and make it meaningful, so everyone's on board. Service M...

Ready to create positive waves of change in Special Education?   You can be the one your IEP team turns to for the best of the best IEP answers.  I watched my parents navigate special education for my brother. I've navigated special education as a teacher. For 25+ years I've been helping IEP teams build better IEPs, but I can't do it alone.  Want to know how you can jump on this journey to changin...

Let's tackle the issue of strangers at the IEP table and explore strategies to ensure a collaborative and effective IEP process. As special education teachers and parents, we've all encountered situations where unfamiliar faces show up unexpectedly, causing confusion and disrupting decision-making. I'll share with you the two types of strangers that can appear at IEP meetings and what to do if thi...

Let's debunk the myth that academic pace alone should determine a student's participation in general education classes. It's time to champion the principles of the Least Restrictive Environment, explore the multifaceted purpose of inclusion, and harness the power of accommodations, modifications, supports, adapted materials, assistive technology, and specialized instruction. Free IEP Coaching Webi...