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.
Special Education Boss® with Karen Mayer Cunningham
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-staffed
- What to say when your child’s IEP isn’t being followed
- Why you cannot request a human, but you can request services
- What’s illegal in self-contained classrooms
- When to file a state complaint (and what to say)
- How to advocate strategically without starting a war
Karen breaks it down with real talk, compassion, clarity, and the occasional call for a matching tattoo. 🙃
💬 Questions are read aloud by a moderator (SEA Advocate Partner) as Karen responds live with the wit, wisdom, and fire you’ve come to expect from your Special Education Boss®
🎧 Subscribe + Share
We release new episodes every week, covering real-world issues, current policy shifts, and parent empowerment through the lens of the law. Subscribe, rate, and review the podcast so we can help more families, teachers, and advocates navigate the special education process with confidence and clarity.
🎓 Want to be trained as an advocate?
Join our 2-Day In-Person Training or access it On Demand—because what you don’t know could cost your child their education.
👉 Learn more here
📚 Need expert help now?
Email us at: advocate@specialeducationacademy.com
🎥 Watch on YouTube:
Special Education Academy YouTube Channel
Remember, when we get it right for the child, we get it right for everyone!
✨ 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 Academy
📬 Have a question? Email us at advocate@specialeducationacademy.com
📱 Follow Karen on:
- TikTok & Instagram: @specialeducationboss
- YouTube: Special Education Academy
⚖️ Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Always consult with a qualified professional for specific guidance related to your child or school district.
