Designing Individual Success with Amy Blanchard: IEPs & Accommodations in a Virtual School

Supporting students with Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) requires thoughtful planning, strong collaboration, and a deep understanding of each learner’s needs. In a virtual school, that work must be intentional and flexible to ensure accommodations are meaningful and effective.In this episode of GCA Unmuted: Voices of Virtual Education, we’re joined by Amy Blanchard, a special education teacher at Georgia Cyber Academy. Amy shares how IEPs are designed and implemented in a virtual environment and how individualized supports help students access instruction and make meaningful progress.The conversation explores how relationships with families support student success, how accommodations are delivered in online classrooms, and how general education and special education teachers collaborate to meet student goals. Amy also reflects on lessons that extend beyond virtual schools and addresses common concerns about whether online learning can meet the needs of students with disabilities.This episode is part of GCA Unmuted’s ongoing documentation of how virtual schools provide individualized support systems that help all students succeed.Thanks for listening to GCA Unmuted: Voices of Virtual Education, a podcast documenting how virtual school works in practice at Georgia Cyber Academy.Each episode features educators, staff, and leaders sharing real stories and systems that support teaching and learning in a virtual environment.Learn more about the podcast and explore past episodes at: https://www.georgiacyber.org/about/unmutedYou can also watch full episodes and highlights on our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@GCAchampions