Special Education Boss® with Karen Mayer Cunningham
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.
From Classroom to Advocacy: Why This Educator Walked Away to Stand Up for Kids
The system isn’t just broken—it’s breaking teachers.
This week on Special Education Boss®, Karen Mayer Cunningham sits down with Linda Glazewski, a bold new voice in the advocacy world. After 30+ years in the classroom, Linda walked away from the job she once loved to start advocating full-time for families and students with disabilities. Why? Because the very system she served was standing in the way of student success.
👉 You’ll hear:
What finally pushed Linda to say, “I’m done”The real story behind aggressive behaviors in co-taught classroomsWhy call...Ask the Advocate: Summer Services, Speech Support, and the 50% Off Sale!
We’re wrapping up June with Ask the Advocate—and it’s packed!
Karen Mayer Cunningham, the Special Education Boss®, answers your most-asked questions about IEPs, 504s, compensatory services, and more. From data myths and goal-setting to speech therapy, para support, and placement issues—this episode is full of clarity, education, and laughter (of course).
SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT:
Now through June 30, download Wealthy & Well-Known (for FREE) and email a screenshot to advocate@specialeducationacademy.com to get a 50% OFF coupon for any one digital product—including the 2-Day Virtual Intensive!
Topics...
Fort Bend ISD Whistleblower Reveals IEP Failures, FERPA Violations & Retaliation
What would you do if your child’s school ignored the law—and told teachers not to speak to you?
In this episode of Special Education Boss®, Karen Mayer Cunningham shares a powerful whistleblower letter from a former general education teacher inside Fort Bend ISD. This teacher came forward to expose what was really happening behind closed doors:
🚫 IEPs not implemented
🚫 Accommodations skipped
🚫 FERPA violations—including sharing unredacted IEPs
🚫 Retaliation against staff who speak up
🚫 Confidential mediation details leaked to campus teams
Karen breaks it all down—what’s legal, what’s not...
From Classroom to Advocacy: Why Alan Driggers Left Teaching to Fight for Families
What happens when a seasoned special education teacher realizes the system isn't built to support the very students it's supposed to serve?
In this powerful conversation, Karen Mayer Cunningham sits down with former educator Alan Driggers, who recently left the classroom after 14 years to become a full-time special education advocate. Alan shares what it's really like behind the scenes in public education: the lack of training, inconsistent processes, data collection failures, and systemic barriers that leave both teachers and students in the dark.
You’ll hear:
Why Alan became the 504 coordinator with zero tr...Ask the Advocate: Summer School, Services Denied, and Screaming Goats
Over 20 questions. One boss. No fluff.
In this high-energy episode of Special Education Boss®, Karen Mayer Cunningham tackles your biggest concerns in a LIVE Q&A format—covering everything from compensatory services and ESY confusion to ABA therapy myths, denied evaluations, and falsified IEP data.
📌 Topics include:
What to do if your child missed speech or reading minutesWhether uncertified SPED staff are legal (spoiler: they’re not)How to request testing in the summerSummer school vs. ESY — what the law actually saysWhat to do when the school says, “Your child isn’t that bad off”Who qu...From Classroom to Advocacy: Cindy’s Journey from Teacher to Special Education Advocate
In this powerful episode of Special Education Boss®, Karen Mayer Cunningham welcomes Cindy—a former teacher of 27 years, literacy specialist, MTSS leader, and now a full-time special education advocate. What led her to pivot from teaching to advocacy? The answer may sound familiar: burnout, frustration, and an unshakable belief that kids deserve better.
Cindy opens up about the emotional and professional toll of navigating a school system that often prioritizes compliance over support. She shares how parenting a child with autism, advocating within her own district, and witnessing systemic failures led her to leave the classroom. Her tur...
LRE & FAPE: Placement, Predetermination, and the Continuum of Services with Dr. Mitchell Yell
What’s the difference between FAPE and LRE—and why does it matter so much in IEP placement decisions?
In this episode of Special Education Boss®, Karen Mayer Cunningham sits down with national expert Dr. Mitchell Yell to unpack two of the most misunderstood elements of the IEP process: Least Restrictive Environment (LRE) and Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE).
Whether you’re a parent, educator, or advocate, this conversation offers a deep dive into how schools are (and aren’t) following federal law—especially when it comes to placement, the continuum of services, and ensuring each child...
Don’t Overcomplicate It: Testing Requests, Service Denials, and Straight Talk on Advocacy
Tired of being told “we don’t do that” or “your concern isn’t valid”?
This episode of Special Education Boss® is your reminder: you don’t need permission to advocate for your child.
Karen Mayer Cunningham returns with another fire Ask the Advocate Q&A—answering real questions from parents, teachers, and advocates nationwide. Whether you’re being told you can’t request testing, the IEP “isn’t needed,” or services were “missed but not a big deal”—this episode gives you clarity, confidence, and next steps.
We’re talking:
✅ How to request testing (simple, not s...
FAPE for All: Real Talk on IEPs, Comp Ed, and What’s Actually Right
What’s right, what’s wrong, and what you absolutely need to know about your rights in special education.
In this episode of Special Education Boss®, Karen Mayer Cunningham is back—answering live questions about IEPs, 504s, placement, compensatory services, and so much more. If you’ve ever been told:
“We don’t offer that here…”“We’re removing resource classes…”“Your child doesn’t qualify…”“We’re amending without a meeting…”…it’s time to sit all the way down and tune in.
Karen unpacks:
Resource vs. inclusion vs. life skillsWhen to file a state complaintWhy...Understanding the Continuum of Special Education Services: Myth-Busting LRE, Resource, and More
Most parents—and far too many educators—don’t fully understand what the “Continuum of Special Education Services” actually means. And that’s a problem.
In this episode of Special Education Boss®, Karen Mayer Cunningham breaks down one of the most misunderstood components of IDEA: the continuum of placements and how it connects to your child’s right to FAPE in the Least Restrictive Environment (LRE).
From general education with accommodations, to resource classes, self-contained programs, out-of-district placements, and even homebound instruction—Karen walks you through five key “buckets” of service delivery. She shares...
How to Get Your Child Fully Tested for Special Education Services
Do you know your rights when it comes to getting your child tested for special education?
In this training episode of Special Education Boss® with Karen Mayer Cunningham, we walk step-by-step through the entire process of requesting special education testing—starting with how to recognize suspected areas of need, what to include in your written request, and what evaluations you have the right to request under IDEA.
Whether you’re a parent noticing delays or a caregiver unsure of the next step, this episode is a must-listen. Karen breaks down:
✅ What suspect...
Ask the Advocate: Live Special Education Q&A — Your Most Pressing IEP, 504, and Transition Questions Answered
n this rapid-fire, real-talk episode of Special Education Boss®, Karen Mayer Cunningham returns for another Ask the Advocate session, answering over 50 real-time questions from parents, educators, and advocates across the country. From first IEP meetings to post-secondary transition plans, from AAC devices to due process complaints—you asked, and Karen delivered.
⚠️ Spoiler alert: This one gets spicy (and hilarious). Don’t miss the part where Karen clears up what to do with homework, reveals why she was almost called a grifter, and drops the truth about who really belongs in a 1:1 para situation.
💬 Listener Favorite Mom...
Denied. Retaliated. Silenced. — A Certified Teacher of the Visually Impaired Speaks Out
WATCH HERE! https://youtu.be/OGw4WtH3KMM
What happens when a certified teacher of the visually impaired (TVI) demands that blind students receive the services they're legally entitled to? In this powerful episode of Special Education Boss®, Karen Mayer Cunningham sits down with Angela Tucker, a veteran special educator and ACTVI in Texas, who shares her personal story of standing up—and being shut down.
Angela was hired to serve students with visual impairments in Bryan ISD. But when she raised concerns about the lack of braille materials, denied access to adapted content, and vio...
Amazing Things for Individuals with Disabilities
Movement Is Medicine: How Fitness Builds Longevity, Choice, and Confidence for Individuals with Disabilities
Part 2 with Mike Lutey, Special Strong Franchise Owner
In Part 2 of this powerful conversation, Special Education Boss® Karen Mayer Cunningham sits down again with Mike Lutey, franchise owner of Special Strong Houston, to go even deeper into the life-changing impact of adaptive fitness for individuals with disabilities.
This episode covers why movement matters, especially for students and young adults with cognitive, emotional, or physical challenges—and how fitness, socialization, and voice-access tools like AAC dev...
From Gym Class to Game Changer: How Adaptive Fitness Empowers Young Adults with Disabilities with Mike Lutey, Franchise Owner – Special Strong Houston
Part 1 of 2
This week on Special Education Boss®, Karen Mayer Cunningham sits down with Mike Lutey, franchise owner of Special Strong Southeast & Northwest Houston, to talk about the power of adaptive fitness for individuals with disabilities—and how the right workout can change everything.
Mike shares his personal journey, inspired by his sister with Down syndrome and his mom’s advocacy work in Montana, to becoming the very first Special Strong franchisee. What started as a LinkedIn message became a mission to serve others through fitness, inclusion, and community-building.
From o...
Ask the Advocate: Mayhem, Misconceptions, and Must-Know Answers
Welcome back to another power-packed episode of Special Education Boss® with Karen Mayer Cunningham — and welcome to the Month of Mayhem! From bathtub to beach to balcony, wherever you're tuning in, Karen is here with clarity, conviction, and the kind of answers that cut through confusion at the IEP and 504 table.
In this episode, Karen tackles real-time questions from parents, educators, and advocates including:
What paraprofessionals can and cannot do under IDEAHow to get autism added as an eligibilityWhat makes a “real” IEP goal (spoiler: “slow down and read carefully” isn’t one)Whether general education teachers can...From Lion King Backpacks to Federal Reform: Karen’s Founding Story on Founders Future
In this special episode, Karen Mayer Cunningham, CEO and founder of Special Education Academy, sits down with the Founders Future podcast to share the powerful story behind her life's work—advocating for students with disabilities. From her personal journey navigating the special education system as a parent to building one of the most recognizable training and advocacy platforms in the country, Karen offers raw insight, unfiltered truth, and an undeniable passion for reform.
She discusses the challenges families face, the flaws within the system, and her mission to ensure every child gets access to the education and eq...
Ask the Advocate: IEP Drama, Pre-K Confusion, and the Truth About 504 Plans
This week on Special Education Boss®, Karen Mayer Cunningham is back behind the mic—and not holding back. From surprise IEP changes to last-minute general ed placements, Karen shares exactly what to do when your child’s services suddenly shift, your 504 isn’t enough, or you're navigating retention, testing, accommodations, and more.
💥 Plus, Karen answers:
What rights do you actually get with a 504?Can a substitute really deliver IEP services?Why does your child suddenly not need special ed next year?When should you file a state or federal complaint?Can a teacher just copy/paste the old IE...From Surviving to Living: A Special Conversation with Jennifer Swan
In this heartfelt and unforgettable episode, Karen Mayer Cunningham is joined by Jennifer Swan—a constitutional lawyer, caregiver, and speaker who shares her extraordinary journey raising her daughter Kennedy, who lives with Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA).
More than just a story of survival, this is a message of radical perspective, courage, and joy in the face of lifelong medical challenges. Jennifer shows us how to shift from feeling trapped by our circumstances to choosing a life worth living—for ourselves and our children.
🌟 QUOTE WORTH REMEMBERING:
“If you're willing to shift your perspecti...Your IEP Questions, Answered!
In this episode of Special Education Boss®, Karen dives into a rapid-fire Q&A answering the real questions families and teachers are facing right now—from placement and eligibility to SDI, IEPs, 504 plans, behavior, executive functioning, transition, and more.
If you've ever left an IEP meeting feeling confused, overwhelmed, or ready to throw a chair (Karen’s words, not ours), this episode is for you.
🎯 Here’s what Karen covers:
Can a child have a 504 and an IEP at the same time?Why executive functioning isn’t a class—an...Mastering Specially Designed Instruction and Progress Monitoring with Dr. Mitchell Yell
In this powerful episode of Special Education Boss®, Karen Mayer Cunningham is joined by Dr. Mitchell Yell—renowned special education expert, author, and hearing officer—to unpack the heart of what makes an IEP truly effective.
Together, they dive into:
The definition of Specially Designed Instruction (SDI)Why software and canned goals aren't enoughHow to craft measurable, meaningful IEP goalsThe critical difference between procedural and substantive violationsWhat happens when schools fail to monitor student progressHow parents and advocates can hold schools accountable without escalating unnecessarilyDr. Yell shares practical advice for school-based staff, advoc...
How to Write Compliant IEP Goals That Actually Help Kids Thrive
Do you know what really makes an IEP goal compliant, effective, and life-changing for students?
In this training-style episode, Karen breaks down:
The 6 types of IEP goals (spoiler: academics are just ONE type)Why present levels matter more than you thinkThe truth about SMART goals (and what most teams are getting wrong)What to say when someone tells you a student “doesn’t qualify because they’re getting A’s and B’s”How to base goals on expectation and rate of progress—not generic standardsThis episode is a must-listen for any parent, teacher, or advocate wh...
Know Your Rights: The Truth About Procedural Safeguards in Special Education
Do you know your rights—or are you just hoping the school will tell you the truth?
In this episode of Special Education Boss®, Karen Mayer Cunningham dives deep into the procedural safeguards that every parent, guardian, and educator needs to understand. From child find and prior written notice to the myths surrounding 504s and referrals, Karen exposes how misinformation, manipulation, and policy “spin” are keeping families in the dark.
🚨 You don’t need to be a lawyer to understand your legal protections—but you do need to stop depending on someone who’s never read the law.
IEP Chaos, Charter School Myths & Advocate Q&A
In this episode of Special Education Boss®, Karen Mayer Cunningham is back with answers, attitude, and all the legal clarity you need to navigate the wild world of special education.
She tackles it all:
✅ The legality of removing non-verbal students without parent notification
✅ Why dual-certified teachers can’t wear two hats at an IEP meeting
✅ Whether charter schools are really doing right by students with disabilities (spoiler: they're not)
✅ What data actually drives Least Restrictive Environment (LRE) decisions
✅ How to use IDEA law to stand your ground — and when to file that state complaint...
The 5 Pillars of an Amazing IEP
Welcome back to Special Education Boss® with Karen Mayer Cunningham, where we train everyone who sits at the 504 and IEP table to navigate and negotiate successful student outcomes.
In this episode, Karen breaks down the five foundational pillars of a powerful IEP, equipping parents, educators, and advocates with the tools to understand what belongs in the IEP — and what doesn’t.
📚 From decoding the legal language to understanding how to actually implement supports that move the needle, Karen walks you through:
The #1 question every parent must ask before writing an IEP.What...Ask the Advocate – Real Questions, Real Answers, Real Advocacy
What do you do when your child is suspended?
Denied services?
Or placed in the wrong setting with no say?
In this open Q&A-style episode of Special Education Boss®, Karen Mayer Cunningham answers your most pressing questions—live and unfiltered.
🎯 Inside this episode:
Can a child stay in general ed if they aren’t accessing grade-level curriculum?Should the school provide an advocate if the parent asks?What happens if a charter school refuses special ed services?What if you're being read "school norms" before the meeting even starts?The truth...Mutually Agreed Upon Time
Have you ever been told the IEP meeting is already scheduled and you just need to show up? Or that your school onlyholds IEP meetings on Fridays at 10:47?
🚨 Not so fast.
In this episode of Special Education Boss®, Karen Mayer Cunningham breaks down what the law says about scheduling IEP meetings. Hint: It must be a mutually agreed upon time—not dictated by the district, principal, or parent alone.
Karen also tackles:
The legal obligation for schools to notify all legal parents or guardians (even if they’re divorced...Ask the Advocate: Real Questions, Real Answers from the IEP Frontlines
Welcome to Special Education Boss® with Karen Mayer Cunningham — your bold, truth-telling advocate for all things IEP, 504, and student rights. In this debut episode, Karen tackles real-time questions from parents, educators, and advocates during a live “Ask the Advocate” broadcast.
If you’ve ever felt lost, frustrated, or steamrolled at an IEP table, this is the episode you didn’t know you needed. Karen pulls no punches — offering clarity, candor, and laughs as she unpacks the legal and practical sides of special education.
Questions are read aloud by a moderator as Karen responds live with the wit, wisd...
What You Don’t Know Will Cost Your Child: Restraints, Paras, and Filing Complaints
Welcome to another episode of Special Education Boss® with Karen Mayer Cunningham, where we cut through the confusion at the IEP and 504 table to give you clear answers and powerful action steps.
This week, Karen is back to answer your biggest questions — from procedural safeguards and legal rights to school practices that just don’t fly. Whether you’re a parent, teacher, advocate, or admin, you’ll walk away knowing exactly what to ask, say, and do.
🎯 In this Ask the Advocate session, we cover:
Do you need both a 504 a...You Can’t Make This Up: Real Questions, Real Answers
Welcome to this week’s episode of Special Education Boss® with Karen Mayer Cunningham — where we empower parents, educators, and professionals to navigate and negotiate successful outcomes.
In this Ask the Advocate– session, Karen is LIVE answering rapid-fire questions from real parents and educators sitting at the IEP and 504 table.
🔥 Topics in this episode include:
Is speech impairment required for ECSE eligibility?What to do when your district says, “We don’t do that here”Getting support in your classroom when you're short-staffedWhat to say when your child’s IEP isn’t being followedWhy you cannot request...
