From Classroom to Advocate: What Schools Do When You Bring an Advocate to the IEP Table

What really happens when an advocate walks into an IEP meeting?In this powerful episode of Special Education Boss®, Karen Mayer Cunningham sits down with Paige Fitzgerald and Kate Magaldi, former special educators turned full-time advocates and founders of Inclusive Educational Practices.Together, they pull back the curtain on what happens behind the scenes when an advocate is present at the IEP table—and why outcomes shift when someone trained in special education advocacy enters the room.They share:✨ Why schools often react differently when an advocate attends✨ What teachers are (and aren’t) trained to understand about IDEA✨ Why parents often know something is wrong—but need help articulating it✨ The difference between combative advocacy and collaborative leadership✨ Why relationships—not intimidation—create long-term changeThis conversation is honest, practical, and encouraging for:Parents navigating difficult IEP meetingsEducators who want to do special education betterAnyone who has ever felt overwhelmed at the IEP table📲 Download the Special Education Academy app📘 Get your copy of The Epic IEP™🎓 Join The AcademyConnect with Kate and Paige: www.iepractices.comInstagram: IEPracticesTikTok: @advocatekateTikTok: @advocatepaigeTheir Weekly NewsletterListen, share, and subscribe so you don’t miss future episodes. 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...