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★★★★★

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Are you drowning in IEP paperwork and feeling overwhelmed by the special education process? The Intentional IEP Podcast is your go-to resource for teachers looking to navigate the complexities of Individualized Education Programs, write effective IEPs, and tackle all things related to special education. Join Stephanie, a dual-certified special education teacher, IEP coach, and author, as she transforms the overwhelming IEP process into manageable, actionable steps. Drawing from years of classroom experience, Stephanie understands the challenges you face—from writing legally compliant IEP goals to managing special education documentation while still finding time to actually teach. Every Monday, you can expect conversations like: Evidence-based IEP writing strategies that save you time Special education compliance guidelines made simple Effective IEP goal development techniques Data collection methods that work in real classrooms Practical special needs accommodations and modifications IEP best practices to invoke a more collaborative IEP process Breaking down IEP implementation The ins and outs of IEP meetings Whether you're a special education teacher, general education teacher collaborating on inclusive education, school psychologist, or educational administrator, The Intentional IEP Podcast will provide you with the support to help students with learning disabilities, autism spectrum disorder, ADHD, and other exceptional needs. Some weeks, Stephanie shares her expertise on best practices for IEP meetings, parent communication, and special education advocacy. Other weeks, expert guests join the conversation to provide diverse perspectives on disability services and educational interventions. Stop spending your evenings writing IEPs and start implementing a more intentional approach to special education. Together, we'll focus less on paperwork and more on what really matters—creating inclusive classrooms where all students can thrive. Because every student deserves an education plan that's as unique as they are. Let’s make IEPs more effective, more efficient, and way less stressful—together. Welcome to The Intentional IEP Podcast!

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Check latest episodes from The Intentional IEP Podcast podcast

E77. 3 Things to Do When You Get a New-to-You Student

2026/10/19

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 shares: Why you should start with Present Levels before jumping into goals and servicesHow collecting your own baseline data helps you understand where the student is right nowWhy connecting with the student’s team early can give you information you will not find in the IEP She also talks about comparable services for transfer students and shares a bonus tip for creating a new student onboarding system before you need it. With a clear process in place, you can spend less time scrambling and more time getting to know the student in front of you. Ready to stop managing IEPs one meeting at a time? Start managing the process with The Intentional IEP System: https://theintentionaliep.com/start-here

E76. 7 Parts of a Prior Written Notice

2026/10/12

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 process. Stephanie shares: What needs to be included in each section of a PWNHow to connect team decisions back to specific data and informationCommon PWN mistakes that can make documentation too vague or incomplete A strong Prior Written Notice should help families understand what the team decided, why the decision was made, and what information was considered along the way. This episode will help you feel more confident writing PWNs that are clear, specific, and complete. Ready to stop managing IEPs one meeting at a time? Start managing the process with The Intentional IEP System: https://theintentionaliep.com/start-here

E75. Inviting Parents to the IEP Meeting

2026/10/05

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 meetings and how teams can make participation more accessibleHow to send meeting notices and properly document contact attempts when reaching out to familiesSimple ways to strengthen parent involvement before, during, and after the IEP meeting Parent participation should go beyond simply sending an invitation. Clear communication, thoughtful documentation, and consistent opportunities for input can help build stronger relationships with families and stronger IEP teams. When families feel included in the process, teams are better positioned to understand student needs, make informed decisions, and work together toward stronger outcomes. Ready to stop managing IEPs one meeting at a time? Start managing the process with The Intentional IEP System: https://theintentionaliep.com/start-here

E74. Writing Progress Reports That Won't Get Flagged in Due Process

2026/09/28

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 student's IEP goals. Stephanie discusses: What data to include to clearly show student progress over timeThree common progress report red flags, including vague language and reporting effort instead of measurable progressHow to document limited or stalled progress objectively and use the data to guide next steps Strong progress reports don't just fill a required box. They tell the student's story through the data and help the entire IEP team understand whether the current plan is working and what may need to change. Ready to stop managing IEPs one meeting at a time? Start managing the process with The Intentional IEP System: https://theintentionaliep.com/start-here

E73. Supporting New Een Ed Teachers on Your Team

2026/09/21

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’ curriculum expertise is essential to the IEP teamSimple ways to share IEP information without overwhelming a new teacherHow ongoing communication and collaboration can lead to stronger support for students Supporting a new teacher doesn’t have to mean adding another huge task to your plate. A little guidance, context, and consistent communication can help the entire team work together more effectively. Ready to stop managing IEPs one meeting at a time? Start managing the process with The Intentional IEP System: https://theintentionaliep.com/start-here

E72. Compensatory Education: What Every Special Education Teacher Needs to Know

2026/09/14

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 is and what it is notHow data and documentation help teams determine educational impactWhat teachers need to know when compensatory services are being considered The goal is not simply to make up missed minutes. It is to understand what the student lost and what they need now. Ready to stop managing IEPs one meeting at a time? Start managing the process with The Intentional IEP System: https://theintentionaliep.com/start-here

E71. When Parents Want More Restrictive Placement Than the Team Recommends

2026/09/07

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 restrictive placementHow to look beyond the placement request and understand the underlying concernWhat data and supports teams should review before making placement decisions Placement conversations aren’t about simply defending or changing a setting. They’re about understanding what a student needs to learn, grow, and make meaningful progress. Ready to stop managing IEPs one meeting at a time? Start managing the process with The Intentional IEP System: https://theintentionaliep.com/start-here

E70. Collecting Baseline Data: The Most Important Step Before Writing an IEP

2026/08/31

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 usefulHow data with and without supports can inform IEP decisionsHow baseline data guides goal writing and progress monitoring A strong baseline isn’t just information included in the IEP. It’s the foundation for understanding student growth and making intentional decisions throughout the year. Ready to stop managing IEPs one meeting at a time? Start managing the process with The Intentional IEP System: https://theintentionaliep.com/start-here For more information, check out more of Stephanie's resources: https://www.theintentionaliep.com/the-intentional-iep-book/ https://www.theintentionaliep.com/ https://www.facebook.com/theintentionaliep https://www.instagram.com/theintentionaliep

E69. Transition planning before it’s legally required

2026/08/24

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 cover: What transition really means and why it goes beyond employment and graduationHow self-advocacy can grow from simple requests in PreK to students leading their own IEP conversations in high schoolWhy helping students understand and communicate their needs is essential preparation for life after school Transition doesn't begin at age 14. It begins when students learn that their voice matters. From the first “help please” in PreK to a student confidently advocating for their needs in high school, every opportunity to build self-advocacy is preparing students for greater independence beyond the classroom . Ready to stop managing IEPs one meeting at a time? Start managing the process with The Intentional IEP System: https://theintentionaliep.com/start-here For more information, check out more of Stephanie's resources: https://www.theintentionaliep.com/the-intentional-iep-book/ https://www.theintentionaliep.com/ https://www.facebook.com/theintentionaliep https://www.instagram.com/theintentionaliep

E68. SDI vs. Accommodations vs. Interventions

2026/08/17

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 designed instruction (SDI) is and what it looks like in practiceHow accommodations provide access without changing learning expectationsWhat interventions are and how they differ from special educationThe difference between accommodations and modificationsReal classroom examples of SDI, accommodations, and interventionsHow all three supports can work together within an IEPQuestions IEP team members can ask to determine what type of support a student needs The goal isn't to choose between SDI, accommodations, and interventions—it's to understand the purpose of each and use them intentionally to meet a student's individual needs. Ready to stop managing IEPs one meeting at a time? Start managing the process with The Intentional IEP System: https://theintentionaliep.com/start-here For more information, check out more of Stephanie's resources: https://www.theintentionaliep.com/the-intentional-iep-book/ https://www.theintentionaliep.com/ https://www.facebook.com/theintentionaliep https://www.instagram.com/theintentionaliep

E67. How to Send Home a Draft IEP

2026/08/10

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 appropriatelyWhy draft IEPs can improve parent participationHow to avoid predetermination and invite meaningful feedback If you’re looking for ways to make your IEP meetings more collaborative and family-centered, this episode is a great place to start. You’ll walk away with practical ideas for sharing draft IEPs while keeping the door open for meaningful team discussion and changes. Ready to stop managing IEPs one meeting at a time? Start managing the process with The Intentional IEP System: https://theintentionaliep.com/start-here For more information, check out more of Stephanie's resources: https://www.theintentionaliep.com/the-intentional-iep-book/ https://www.theintentionaliep.com/ https://www.facebook.com/theintentionaliep https://www.instagram.com/theintentionaliep

E66. What to Do When an IEP Isn't Being Followed

2026/08/03

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 families can take to address concerns while keeping the focus on student access and progress. In this episode Stephanie discusses What IEP non-compliance can look like, both obvious and subtleHow to determine whether an issue is isolated or part of a larger patternWhat teachers and families can do to document, communicate, and advocate effectivelyWays to prevent implementation breakdowns through stronger systems and collaboration By the end of this episode you will have a clearer understanding of how to respond when an IEP is not being followed and how to move from frustration into action that supports the student. Ready to stop managing IEPs one meeting at a time? Start managing the process with The Intentional IEP System: https://theintentionaliep.com/start-here For more information, check out more of Stephanie's resources: https://www.theintentionaliep.com/the-intentional-iep-book/ https://www.theintentionaliep.com/ https://www.facebook.com/theintentionaliep https://www.instagram.com/theintentionaliep

E65. How to Tell If an IEP Goal Is Too Ambitious (Without Guessing)

2026/07/27

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 on opinions or guesswork, you'll learn how to use data to make confident goal writing decisions. In this episode you will learn: Why baseline data is the foundation of every strong IEP goalThe importance of collecting data with and without supportsHow past growth can help determine realistic goal criteria By the end of this episode, you'll have a clearer framework for deciding whether an IEP goal is too ambitious, not ambitious enough, or just right for the student sitting in front of you. Ready to stop managing IEPs one meeting at a time? Start managing the process with The Intentional IEP System: https://theintentionaliep.com/start-here For more information, check out more of Stephanie's resources: https://www.theintentionaliep.com/the-intentional-iep-book/ https://www.theintentionaliep.com/ https://www.facebook.com/theintentionaliep https://www.instagram.com/theintentionaliep

E64. Why IEP Meeting Agendas Are Often Overlooked (And Why You Need One)

2026/07/20

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 they help teams stay aligned and confident throughout the process. In this episode you'll learn: Why IEP meeting agendas are often overlooked and how that impacts the meeting processWhat should be included in agendas for different types of IEP meetingsHow agendas help create clarity, structure, and stronger team collaboration By the end of this episode you will understand how something as simple as a clear agenda can completely change the flow and effectiveness of your IEP meetings. Ready to stop managing IEPs one meeting at a time? Start managing the process with The Intentional IEP System: https://theintentionaliep.com/start-here For more information, check out more of Stephanie's resources: https://www.theintentionaliep.com/the-intentional-iep-book/ https://www.theintentionaliep.com/ https://www.facebook.com/theintentionaliep https://www.instagram.com/theintentionaliep

E63. Building an IEP System That Survives Teacher Turnover

2026/07/13

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 of burnout that show up when systems are missing and the key shifts that create long term consistency and support for your team. In this episode Stephanie discusses: The five types of burnout special education teachers experience when systems are not in placeWhy strong systems should support consistency even when staff changes happenThe five foundational shifts that help build an IEP system that actually lasts By the end of this episode you will start to see where your current system is holding strong and where it may be relying too heavily on you instead of supporting the team as a whole. Ready to stop managing IEPs one meeting at a time? Start managing the process with The Intentional IEP System: https://theintentionaliep.com/start-here For more information, check out more of Stephanie's resources: https://www.theintentionaliep.com/the-intentional-iep-book/ https://www.theintentionaliep.com/ https://www.facebook.com/theintentionaliep https://www.instagram.com/theintentionaliep

Podcast reviews

Read The Intentional IEP Podcast podcast reviews

5 out of 5

22 reviews

★★★★★

Garden Girl 26 2026/07/06

A Must for New SPED Teachers!

I wish I knew of this podcast 2 years ago when I was first starting out. She does an incredible job of really getting teachers to think about why they...

★★★★★

kristademar7 2025/04/24

👏

This is so exciting ! The first few sentences of trailer describe my life as a SPED teacher. Can’t wait to learn how to make IEP’s easier.

★★★★★

@kimstewinspired 2025/04/23

So grateful 🙌🏼

So excited for Stephanie‘s new show. As a special needs mama I wish I had this show back when my son was in school. So grateful for all the teachers t...

★★★★★

🦮🐕‍🦺🐩🐕🦭 2025/04/18

Podcasts

Looking forward to hearing more from Stephanie.

★★★★★

Kelli922 2025/04/16

Can’t wait!

I love everything that Stephanie creates so I know this will be wonderful! TII is such an amazing resource already, adding a podcast will only make it...

★★★★★

kristinkoa 2025/04/16

Yay! Podcast

Can’t wait to listen to Stephanie’s new podcast!

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