Welcome to another episode of The FAST 15 podcast, where we deliver transformative tips and motivation for special educators in just 15 minutes. Sponsored by Specially Designed Education Services, publishers of The Functional Academics Program, this episode features Suzanne Fitzgerald, President and CEO of Specially Designed Education Services and author of the Functional Academics Program.

Key Points:

• Suzanne brings 30 years of diverse experience in special education to the conversation.
• The discussion is split into two parts, focusing on writing meaningful IEP goals in this episode and progressing to the benefits and challenges of progress monitoring in the next.

Guest Introduction:

• Suzanne's journey began as a peer tutor, evolving into a camp counselor for children with disabilities, eventually leading to roles in recreational, residential, and vocational settings.
• Her decision to teach was confirmed during a year as a paraeducator in the Seattle School District. She later earned her teaching certification and master's in special education from the University of Washington.

Four Pillars of Meaningful Goals:

1. Social Connections: Suzanne emphasizes the need to prepare students for active social lives beyond school.
2. Service Opportunities: Advocating for purpose, Suzanne questions the impact of a lifetime where everything is done for a person. She stresses the importance of preparing students for jobs or customized volunteer opportunities.
3. Independence: Suzanne reflects on the significance of independence and autonomy in students' lives, irrespective of ability level.
4. Collaboration: Drawing from her experiences, Suzanne underscores the importance of a support network and collaboration, especially for families with fewer resources.

Goal-Setting Process:

• Suzanne's process involves developing a lesson or activity related to critical aspects of life and formulating a goal based on that. She follows personal teaching guidelines, ensuring goals are functional, meaningful, age-appropriate, and designed to improve students' quality of life.
• The guidelines include asking critical questions such as "Why am I doing this?" and ensuring goals are SMART.

Family Involvement:

• Suzanne collaborates with families to ensure goals align with their perspectives and are reinforced across

Support the show

Barbara Beck is the host of the FAST 15 Podcast. She is a highly dedicated Disability Advocate and Special Education Consultant specializing in IEP Transition Services. Barbara has an extensive background as a special education teacher spanning nearly 30 years. She has dedicated her career to empowering transition-age youth and fostering positive post-school outcomes.

Barbara's expertise lies in providing comprehensive support and guidance to students with disabilities, ensuring their successful transition from school to adult life. She possesses a deep understanding of secondary services and possesses the skills to develop tailored strategies that maximize individual potential.

For more information and resources on special education school-to-adulthood transition planning and independent living, visit www.mykeyplans.com. Join us on social media for updates, behind-the-scenes content, and discussions about special education, inclusion, and disability advocacy. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn and use #IEPLaunchpadPodcast to join the conversation. Thank you for tuning in to the IEP Launchpad Podcast! 🎧🎙️#IDD #teaching #specialed #specialneeds #InclusionMatters #DisabilityAdvocacy #EmpowerVoices #edtech, #education #edtech, #teachers