

Special Education Inner Circle
Catherine Whitcher
The Special Education Inner Circle podcast is hosted by Catherine Kahl, M.Ed, founder of the Master IEP Coach® Mentorship. Get your notebook ready as Catherine brings you real-world strategies for everyone at the IEP table. With her family's experience in the disability community and her journey from Special Education classroom teacher to IEP expert, Catherine knows what it takes to prepare students and families for the future. Get ready to be inspired and learn actionable steps you can take immediately to change your special education experience.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Sep 6, 2023 • 13min
201. 5 Things I Wish Everyone Knew About Special Education
Key insights on special education I wish more people understood: Honest conversations are required for effective IEPs. ESY not just for regression; know the criteria. No surprises at IEP meetings. Inclusion is an experience, not a place. Special ed is a service, not a place. Let's reshape conversations to build meaningful IEPs and inclusive schools. Share to spread the change in Special Education! Links Mentioned In This Episode: Earn Your IEP Leadership Certificate Program https://www.masteriepcoach.com/course Start Your Own IEP Coaching Practice https://www.masteriepcoach.com/mentorship Download Your Time Saving IEP Guide https://www.masteriepcoach.com/masterclass P.S. I'm not a lawyer, but I love telling you where to look for facts in the law. Both teachers and parents need to feel firm in the WHY behind decisions like ESY! Here's a screenshot about ESY from my favorite website that shares about all things IEPs from a legal perspective... you can read the full article here. https://www.wrightslaw.com/info/esy.standards.barlev.htm YouTube Music License: UAMVIZN3XWXTREIE

Aug 30, 2023 • 9min
200. Knowledge vs Wisdom at the IEP Table
There's a big difference between bringing knowledge and bringing wisdom to the IEP table. Catherine shows you how to: Understand the difference between leading with knowledge and leading with wisdom. Explore the concept of creating an inclusive experience rather than merely ticking boxes. Learn how wisdom bridges the gap between legal compliance and effective IEP. Discover actionable ways to combine your knowledge and experience to foster collaboration at the IEP table. Take a step further in your journey by grabbing IEP resources at https://www.masteriepcoach.com/ YouTube Music License GA7EHJ31DLBINVWH

Aug 23, 2023 • 15min
199. 3 Myths About Becoming a Master IEP Coach
Let's chat about an incredibly important topic: helping parents navigate the special education system. You might be wondering if you need to be a jack-of-all-trades in the world of special education to become a Master IEP Coach®. Spoiler alert: You don't have to be! That's just one of the myths about becoming a Master IEP Coach®. Listen to all 3 Myths in this episode and find out if what's holding you back from becoming a Master IEP Coach® is actually the reason you should move forward! Resources: Find out more about becoming a Master IEP Coach: https://www.masteriepcoach.com/coachwebinar Download Your Free IEP Time Saving Guide: https://www.masteriepcoach.com/masterclass Ask Your IEP Question: https://www.masteriepcoach.com/questions YouTube License: RYJFNMQKLTFMBTNZ

Aug 18, 2023 • 18min
198. Essentials of Transition Planning for Teachers and Parents
This podcast discusses the importance of transition planning for students with special needs, emphasizing the smooth shift from school to post-school activities. It highlights the need for communities, resources, and opportunities, as well as the importance of inclusive education and building on a child's strengths in transition planning.

Aug 9, 2023 • 19min
197. Eloping and Wandering: Safety and Assistive Technology
Eloping and wandering can cause panic for both parents and teachers, but what if there's a solution you haven't thought of before? I can't wait to share AngelSense with you! AngelSense promotes independence, builds important life skills, and increases the overall quality of life for both a child and their family. Get ready to embrace a new level of safety and independence! Key Moments: 00:00 The Importance Of Being Prepared And Independent In School 02:46 Introducing Angel Sense: A Solution For Safety Protocol 04:10 Angel Sense: A Solution For Ensuring Child Safety And Location Tracking 06:58 Enhancing Participation And Safety With Activity Tracker 08:52 Promoting Independence And Quality Of Life In Education And Home Life 1 0:53 Frantic Sister Rescues Lost Family Member 13:38 Angelsense Provides Effective Communication And Support For Child Safety At School And Home 18:14 Angel Sense: A Resource For Building Independence, Confidence, And Safety Key Takeaways: Safety plans at school must be clear and proactive. Explore AngelSense https://www.angelsense.com/ Integrating Assistive Tech GPS to meet the needs of children and prepare them for further education, employment, and independent living. Why my brother was lost and how we found him. AngelSense as a resource for building independence, confidence, autonomy, self-advocacy, and safety. Download Free Master IEP Coach® Resources: https://www.masteriepcoach.com/

Aug 2, 2023 • 15min
196. Sensory Breaks in an IEP are Not Good Enough
Today, let's talk about sensory breaks in IEPs. They are crucial, but we need to ensure they're tailored to each child's needs. I have a game-changing tool for you - the Hoglet, a fidget mouse that seamlessly integrates sensory support into a child's day. Plus, I'll be giving away some Hoglets to lucky listeners! Join me in rethinking sensory breaks and empowering our children with self-advocacy skills. Learn more on the Master IEP Coach® podcast and enter the giveaway! Grab Your Own Hoglet on Amazon: https://amzn.to/43NYOUh Get Free Access to the Private Master IEP Coach® Podcast: https://www.masteriepcoach.com/podcast Learn 3 Ways to Become a Master IEP Coach®: https://www.masteriepcoach.com/learn Download 12 Hard IEP Questions You Need to Ask" https://www.masteriepcoach.com/masterclass

Jul 26, 2023 • 22min
195. Creative Strategies for Sensory Supports
The Calm Strips team is back! Learn how Calm Strips has evolved from simple tools to interactive mindfulness strategies. We can all use "Just Breathe" reminders that you just can't ignore! Bonus, if you're a busy parent navigating IEPs AND you have big dreams to change the disability community… stay tuned till the end. Michael and Luce give beautiful encouragement for you to follow your dreams. Stock up on Calm Strips here: https://calmstrips.com/ Links Mentioned In This Episode: Master IEP Coach® Certificate Program https://www.masteriepcoach.com/course FAST TRACK: Start Your Own IEP Coaching Practice https://www.masteriepcoach.com/mentorship Free Access to 19 IEP Trainings https://www.masteriepcoach.com/podcast

Jul 19, 2023 • 18min
194. Student Centered IEP Collaboration
A tech tool that makes IEP implementation easier AND puts the child first... yes, please! Special Education Parents and Teachers - this new solution from IEP and Me might just be your answer to start simplifying the IEP process for you and your child/students. Parents start your free account here and invite your teachers to join your child's IEP and Me team: https://iepandme.com/ Download your Free IEP Meeting Guide https://www.masteriepcoach.com/masterclass Master IEP Coach® Certificate Program https://www.masteriepcoach.com/course FAST TRACK: Start Your Own IEP Coaching Practice https://www.masteriepcoach.com/mentorship

Jul 12, 2023 • 18min
193. Inclusive IEPs for Children with Complex Needs
If you have ever experienced low expectations at the IEP table as a parent or as a teacher for your child or students who have complex support needs, this episode is for you! I recently read an incredible book called Equitable and Inclusive IEPs for Students with Complex Support Needs: A Roadmap. The authors, Dr. Andrea L. Ruppar and Dr. Jennifer Kurth, explore how educators can create a meaningful and inclusive environment, especially for our learners who have complex support needs. Links Mentioned In This Episode: Book - Equitable and Inclusive IEPs for Students with Complex Support Needs https://amzn.to/3Oa82We Master IEP Coach® Certificate Program https://www.masteriepcoach.com/course FAST TRACK: Start Your Own IEP Coaching Practice https://www.masteriepcoach.com/mentorship Download 12 IEP Questions You Need to Ask https://www.masteriepcoach.com/masterclass Find All the Special Education Inner Circle Podcast Episodes https://www.catherinewhitcher.com/blog

Jul 5, 2023 • 14min
192. Let's Speak Truth About Special Education
In this episode, I share the main takeaways from my recent keynote speech at the Teach Your Heart Out Conference. My biggest goal was to share something impactful with the special and general educators who were in attendance. It seemed like the perfect chance to share three big truths surrounding special education, IEPs, and inclusion. If you're an educator or a parent of a child with special needs, this episode is for you! Links Mentioned In This Episode: Master IEP Coach® Certificate Program https://www.masteriepcoach.com/course FAST TRACK: Start Your Own IEP Coaching Practice https://www.masteriepcoach.com/mentorship Download 12 IEP Questions You Need to Ask https://www.masteriepcoach.com/masterclass Find All the Special Education Inner Circle Podcast Episodes https://www.catherinewhitcher.com/blog Teach Your Heart Out Conference https://teachyourheartout.org/


