From Classroom to Advocacy: Cindy’s Journey from Teacher to Special Education Advocate

In this powerful episode of Special Education Boss®, Karen Mayer Cunningham welcomes Cindy—a former teacher of 27 years, literacy specialist, MTSS leader, and now a full-time special education advocate. What led her to pivot from teaching to advocacy? The answer may sound familiar: burnout, frustration, and an unshakable belief that kids deserve better.Cindy opens up about the emotional and professional toll of navigating a school system that often prioritizes compliance over support. She shares how parenting a child with autism, advocating within her own district, and witnessing systemic failures led her to leave the classroom. Her turning point? Finding Karen’s TikTok, joining the 2-Day Special Education Advocacy Intensive, and realizing that she could make a real impact outside the system.Inside this episode:Why “wait and see” is one of the worst models in special educationHow Cindy discovered unmet services buried in her son’s recordsThe reality of professional development for teachers (spoiler: not helpful)How The Academy and 2-Day Intensive helped Cindy launch her advocacy businessWhat it’s like going from educator to IEP table warrior—and how you can tooThis is a must-listen for teachers, parents, and anyone wondering if it’s really possible to pivot into advocacy. Spoiler alert: It is. Resources Mentioned:Join The AcademySign up for the next LIVE 2-Day Special Education Advocacy IntensiveEmail us: [email protected] Support the show✨ 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 Epic IEP™ Academy First month free, after that, cancel anytime. 📱 Follow Karen on:TikTok & Instagram: @specialeducationbossYouTube: Special Education Academy🧠 Want to level up your advocacy game?Check out the Advocate's Bookshelf — a curated collection of must-have tools, guides, and legal references every special education advocate should own. From federal code to diagnostic manuals, these are the essentials that help you advocate with clarity and confidence.📚 Browse now: https://amzn.to/3RiQPLl(As an Amazon Associate, Karen may earn a small commission if you make a purchase — at no extra cost to you.)Because when...