From Mom Guilt to Systemic Change: Angie Pannuti's Special Education Advocacy Journey

What happens when a fiercely intelligent parent is told her child just isn’t “a good fit” for school?

In this raw and powerful episode, Karen Mayer Cunningham, the Special Education Boss®, sits down with Kentucky-based mom, medical professional, and now advocate, Angie Pannuti. What began as a personal struggle with sleep-deprived nights, guilt-filled days, and a nonverbal toddler has turned into a mission to shift entire school systems—starting with her son, Michael.

Angie shares her journey:

• Navigating early intervention and a rocky preschool transition
• Feeling like she was failing as a parent (despite being a physician assistant!)
• The moment she realized something had to change
• Finding Karen’s videos late one night on Facebook Reels
• Attending board meetings, joining the Academy, and becoming “all in”
• Starting a nonprofit, Special Education Lifeline, to support families in Kentucky

This episode is a masterclass in what happens when a parent is empowered with the right tools, training, and support—and the ripple effect it creates in communities, classrooms, and systems.

💡 You’ll hear:

• Why Angie had to step back as “just mom” to truly advocate
• The power of saying, “Show me the data.”
• How a structured classroom transformed Michael’s school year
• Why teachers, not just parents, are joining the Academy in record numbers
• What it really means to “train everyone at the IEP/504 table”

If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed, outnumbered, or underprepared in special education—this conversation is your lifeline.