The Intentional IEP Podcast

Have you ever read through an IEP and realized the present levels, goals, and specially designed instruction do not actually seem to connect? That disconnect can make the entire IEP harder to write and even harder to implement. In this episode, Stephanie explains how these three pieces should work together and why strong present levels are the foundation for everything that follows. Present levels...

When a student struggles with handwriting or completing written assignments, it’s not always an academic or behavioral issue. Sometimes, underlying motor skills are getting in the way. In this episode, Stephanie sits down to discuss how occupational therapy (OT) can support students in the classroom. They talk about recognizing motor-based challenges, supporting students with dysgraphia, and makin...

Getting a new student in the middle of the year can feel overwhelming, especially when you are trying to learn their needs, understand their IEP, and get supports in place quickly. In this episode, Stephanie shares the three things she does every time she gets a new-to-her student and explains why having a simple system can make the transition easier for both the teacher and the student. Stephanie...

Prior Written Notices are a required part of the special education process, but writing them clearly can feel overwhelming, especially when you are trying to make sure every decision is documented correctly. In this episode, Stephanie breaks down the seven required parts of a Prior Written Notice and explains how to write each section in a way that clearly reflects the IEP team's decision-making p...

Sending a parent invite to an IEP meeting is more than another compliance task. It is one of the first opportunities to make sure families have a clear and accessible way to participate as members of the IEP team. In this episode, Stephanie breaks down best practices for parent participation and communication throughout the IEP process, including: The different ways parents can participate in IEP...

Progress reports are more than another piece of IEP paperwork. They show whether a student is making progress toward their goals, help teams make informed instructional decisions, and give families a clear picture of where their child started and where they are now. In this episode, Stephanie discusses how to write progress reports that are specific, data driven, and clearly connected to the stude...

New general education teachers may be learning how to manage their classroom while also figuring out accommodations, goals, SDI, behavior supports, and everything else that comes with supporting students with IEPs. In this episode, Stephanie shares how special education teachers can help new gen ed teachers feel more confident as members of the IEP team. She discusses: Why gen ed teachers’ curricu...

Compensatory education can feel confusing, especially when a student has missed services or an IEP has not been fully implemented. In this episode, Stephanie breaks down what compensatory education actually means, when it may be considered, and why the focus should be on educational impact rather than simply counting missed minutes. In this episode, Stephanie discusses: What compensatory education...

When a parent wants a more restrictive placement than the IEP team recommends, it can be difficult to know how to respond. In this episode, we’re looking at why parents may request a more restrictive setting, how to listen for the concern underneath the request, and what data teams should consider when making placement decisions. In this episode, Stephanie discusses: Why parents may request a more...

Before writing an IEP goal, teams need to know exactly where a student is starting. In this episode, we’re looking at what baseline data is, why it should be collected with and without supports, and how it helps teams write more meaningful, individualized goals. In this episode, Stephanie discusses: What makes baseline data objective, measurable, and useful How data with and without supports can i...

Transition planning may be required in the later school years, but the skills students need for life after graduation begin developing much earlier. Stephanie shares why self-advocacy should be intentionally taught from PreK through high school and how everyday opportunities can help students build the skills they need to communicate, make choices, and advocate for themselves. In this episode, we...

SDI, accommodations, and interventions are terms we hear constantly in special education but they are often used interchangeably. Understanding the difference matters because each serves a different purpose when supporting students. In this episode, we break down what each one means, how they differ, and how they can work together to support student success. Stephanie unpacks: What specially desig...

Sending home a draft IEP before the meeting can create more meaningful collaboration and give families the time they need to review the proposed plan, process the information, and come prepared with questions. In this episode, Stephanie discusses: What a draft IEP is and how to send one home appropriately Why draft IEPs can improve parent participation How to avoid predetermination and invite mean...

An IEP is a legally binding document that ensures a student receives the supports they need to access their education. But what happens when those supports are not actually being implemented in the classroom? In this episode, Stephanie breaks down what IEP non-compliance can look like in real settings, how to tell the difference between a one-time issue and a pattern, and what steps teachers and f...

One of the most common questions special education teachers ask is, "Is this IEP goal too ambitious?" The answer isn't based on a feeling or a percentage that sounds right. It's found in the data. In this episode, Stephanie explains how to use baseline data, previous IEP progress, and student growth patterns to write goals that are both realistic and appropriately challenging. Instead of relying o...

IEP meetings can quickly feel unorganized or reactive when there is no clear structure in place. While agendas are often treated as optional or overlooked altogether, they play a critical role in keeping meetings focused, compliant, and productive for everyone at the table. In this episode Stephanie breaks down why IEP meeting agendas matter, what should be included based on meeting type, and how...

If your IEP system only works because you are the one holding it all together, it is not actually a system yet. It is a dependency. And that is exactly what leads to burnout when staff changes happen, caseloads shift, or someone new steps into the role. In this episode Stephanie breaks down what it really takes to build an IEP system that does not fall apart when people change, including the types...

When academic goals are in place but a student still can’t access instruction, it may be behavior—not academics—that needs to be addressed first. In this episode, Stephanie breaks down how to recognize when behavior is the real barrier to learning, when it’s appropriate to shift IEP priorities, and how to use data to guide those decisions. In this episode, Stephanie discusses: The difference betwe...

In this episode of The Intentional IEP Podcast, Stephanie is talking about what general education teachers should bring to every IEP meeting. While special education teachers often lead the meeting, general education teachers play a critical role in making informed decisions. The key is coming prepared with data, not just observations. In this episode, you'll learn: Why general education teachers...

Writing standards-aligned IEP goals can feel overwhelming, especially when you've been told to align goals to grade-level standards without being shown what that actually looks like in practice. In this episode, we're breaking down a simple framework for aligning IEP goals to state standards while keeping them individualized and appropriate for each student's needs. Stephanie covers: • Why standar...

Do you ever look at your calendar and realize an IEP meeting is coming up much faster than expected? In this episode, we're breaking down a step-by-step system for preparing for IEP meetings without the last-minute stress and scrambling. From scheduling the meeting and gathering team input to writing present levels, developing goals, and preparing families, you'll learn how to create a process tha...

In this episode, Stephanie is talking about simple systems that help special education teachers communicate more effectively with paraprofessionals, reduce confusion, and create stronger team collaboration throughout the school day. She shares: • Why communication systems matter more than constant conversations • Ways to create visual communication systems that reduce questions and increase indepe...

Summer is the best time to get ahead before the school year starts. That’s why we created the Summer PD Series. This is practical professional development for special education teachers who want strategies they can use right away. With over 50+ trainings, you’ll get expert-led sessions focused on IEPs, behavior, data collection, collaboration, and student success. Everything is built to help you w...

Talking to parents about a lack of progress is one of the most challenging parts of being a special education teacher. When you've been working hard, collecting data, and providing support, it can be difficult to explain that a student isn't growing as expected. In this episode, Stephanie shares how to approach these conversations with confidence, use data effectively, and collaborate with familie...

The school year is over. The desks are empty, the paperwork is done, and for the first time in a long time… there’s space to pause. Not the kind tied to compliance checklists, evaluation goals, or guilt. Real reflection. The kind that helps you figure out what actually worked this year, what left you overwhelmed, and what needs to change so next year feels lighter. If you’re a special educator car...