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
Paraprofessional Roles & Boundaries in Special Education: What Federal Law Requires
Paraprofessionals change lives—but confusion about their role can lead to serious violations. In this training, Karen Mayer Cunningham, the Special Education Boss®, explains exactly what federal law requires so teams can support students properly and protect FAPE.
What you’ll learn:
- Why paras must work under the direct supervision of a certified teacher
- How to identify when districts are using paras in place of special educators
- What to ask at IEP meetings to verify who is delivering services and how minutes are implemented
- Practical boundaries: data collection, accommodations, medical tasks, inclusion support, pullout, ISS, homebound
Referenced federal sources:
- IDEA (Individuals with Disabilities Education Act) – 34 CFR Part B: https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-34
- ESSA (Every Student Succeeds Act, 2015): https://www.everystudentsucceedsact.org
- No Child Left Behind (historical context): https://www.congress.gov/bill/107th-congress/house-bill/1
- OSEP (Office of Special Education Programs): https://www.ed.gov/about/ed-offices/osers/osep
Next steps:
- Join The Academy for 250+ hours of training and weekly updates:
https://www.skool.com/special-education-academy/about - Questions or training requests: advocate@specialeducationacademy.com
“When we get it right for the child, we get it right for everybody.” — Karen Mayer Cunningham
✨ 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
🧠 Want to level up your advocacy game?
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(As an Amazon Associate, Karen may earn a small commission if you make a purchase — at no extra cost to you.)
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