Welcome to issue #4 of Around the IEP Table, Reader! Intentional Thought ⭐ Baseline data isn't about proving and knowing what your student can do right now so you can see how far they go. Baseline data is one of those special education terms we use constantly. "Collect your baseline data." "You need a baseline before writing the goal." "Make sure you get beginning of the year baselines." But what are we actually talking about? What does any of it mean? Simple terms: baseline data is a...
1 day ago • 3 min read
Welcome to issue #3 of Around the IEP Table, Reader! Intentional Priority ⭐ Build a lesson-planning system that stays at school. I want to touch on lesson planning this week because I know some special ed teachers have a protected planning period... and some don't. And some teachers technically have one... but it gets filled with meetings, coverage, paperwork, student needs, and all the things that apparently could not happen at any other time. That is why I will never tell a teacher that the...
9 days ago • 2 min read
Reader, This year I want to try something different with the newsletter, so welcome to issue #1 of Around the IEP Table. Intentional Priority ⭐ When what you've planned for and set up for your classroom doesn't work the first week... it's okay to shift and pivot. Teaching is a lot of work, and we often feel the demands need to take up our time outside of contract hours. Now that decision is up to you as an individual, as only you can decide what work-life balance works best for you. But...
24 days ago • 2 min read
Hi, friend! One of the most stressful parts of special education isn't writing the IEP... It's leading the meeting. Trying to keep the conversation on track, make sure everyone has a voice, answer unexpected questions, stay compliant, take notes, and somehow remember everything that needs to happen afterward can feel like a lot. The good news? You don't have to figure it all out on your own. The IEP Meeting Guide was created to help you confidently facilitate every stage of the IEP...
30 days ago • 1 min read
Hi, Reader! Happy August! I hope you're having a fabulous summer and, if you have already started the new school year, that it's going well! This week, I'm bringing you the latest tips and tricks to make teaching a whole lot easier this month! What We've Been Talking About... YouTube: IEP Meetings Made Simple: What to Do Before, During, and After The Intentional IEP: Time-Saving IEP Writing Tips That Veteran Teachers Swear By FB Group: Best Case Management Tips for Staying Organized...
about 1 month ago • 1 min read
Hey Reader, Have you ever written an IEP goal and wondered if you were expecting too much or not enough? A brand new podcast episode is available today! In this episode, Stephanie walks through how to use baseline data, student supports, and previous progress to determine whether an IEP goal is realistic. Instead of choosing a goal that simply sounds right, you'll learn how to let the data guide your decisions. It's an episode you don't want to miss. 👉 Click here to listen on Apple Podcasts👉...
about 2 months ago • 1 min read
Happy Monday Reader, A brand new podcast episode is available today! One of the biggest misconceptions in special education is that standards-aligned goals should simply mirror grade-level standards. In reality, IEP goals should be individualized, data-driven, and focused on the next appropriate step for the student. In this week's episode of The Intentional IEP Podcast, we're breaking down a simple way to align goals to standards without losing sight of student needs. It's an episode you...
3 months ago • 1 min read
Hi, friend! Have you ever thought… They know the material… so why isn’t the work getting done? Missing assignments. Incomplete work. Students who seem stuck before they even start. You’re not alone. The truth is, this often isn’t a motivation issue—it’s executive function. And that matters, because executive function skills are developmental. Students don’t need more consequences—they need the right supports. That’s exactly what we’re breaking down in a new article over on The Intentional...
4 months ago • 1 min read
Hi, friend! Have you ever looked at an IEP goal and wondered… How does this actually connect to what I’m teaching? You have the standards. You have the goals. But bridging the gap between the two can feel unclear—especially in middle and high school. That’s exactly why I created the IEP Matrix for 7th–12th Grade Skills. It gives you a clear path from IEP goals to grade-level expectations, so you can see what skills to teach, what comes next, and how to track progress along the way. Inside,...
4 months ago • 1 min read