Ever feel like you’re collecting a lot of data but not sure if it’s actually useful? You’re not alone. Many special education teachers, service providers, and IEP team members struggle with understanding which data matters most and how to use it effectively.

In this episode, we break down the ten types of data you should know. You’ll learn what each type is, why it matters, and how it can help you write stronger IEPs, track progress more clearly, and approach team meetings with confidence.

We also cover why understanding your data matters in the first place. Different types of data serve different purposes—some guide instruction, some provide insight into student behavior, and some are essential for compliance and eligibility. Knowing which type of data you’re collecting helps you balance your collection, fill gaps, and advocate from a place of clarity.

By the end of this episode, you’ll feel more confident about the data you collect and how to use it to support your students.

And don’t forget — you can get 50% off your first month of membership https://products.theintentionaliep.com/tii-membership-50off1stmonth-podcast/

For more information, check out more of Stephanie's resources:

https://www.theintentionaliep.com/the-intentional-iep-book/

https://www.theintentionaliep.com/

https://www.facebook.com/theintentionaliep

https://www.instagram.com/theintentionaliep

If you’re a general education teacher, you carry a lot—lesson plans, classroom management, and the needs of every learner who walks through your door. But when it comes to IEPs, it can be easy to feel unsure of your role or even overlooked.

In this episode, Stephanie brings both general and special education teachers into the conversation to talk about what real collaboration looks like. She shares why the gen ed role matters so much, what often keeps these teachers from feeling valued, and how both sides can work together to better support students with IEPs.

You’ll hear:

• Why the general education teacher’s perspective is essential at the IEP table
• The mindset shifts that lead to stronger teamwork and real inclusion
• How gen ed teachers can feel more confident in supporting IEP goals
• Five practical ways to show up prepared, informed, and ready to collaborate

This episode is all about teamwork, communication, and the impact that happens when every teacher feels seen, heard, and equipped to help their students succeed.

And don’t forget — you can get 50% off your first month of membership https://products.theintentionaliep.com/tii-membership-50off1stmonth-podcast/

For more information, check out more of Stephanie's resources:

https://www.theintentionaliep.com/the-intentional-iep-book/

https://www.theintentionaliep.com/

https://www.facebook.com/theintentionaliep

https://www.instagram.com/theintentionaliep

Today we’re talking about something that often gets overlooked but makes all the difference in how your classroom runs. Team building. It’s not something that always shows up in your IEP goals or service minutes, but you feel it when it’s missing. When the team isn’t clicking, when paras don’t feel supported, when everyone’s running in their own lane, it shows.

The truth is, your team needs to click. You need your paras, and they need you. When the adults in the classroom work well together, everyone benefits, including the students.

Team building isn’t a one time thing you check off a list. It’s ongoing. It’s maintenance. Stronger teams mean better support for your students, and that kind of collaboration doesn’t just happen, it’s built intentionally.

In this episode, Stephanie shares six simple team building ideas that are easy to implement but have a powerful impact. From icebreakers that actually serve a purpose, to appreciation notes, to role playing crisis scenarios and creating space for social connection, these ideas help shift your classroom culture in real, lasting ways.

Because when you build up the adults in the classroom, you build up the students too, and that’s what really matters.

And don’t forget — you can get 50% off your first month of membership https://products.theintentionaliep.com/tii-membership-50off1stmonth-podcast/

For more information, check out more of Stephanie's resources:

https://www.theintentionaliep.com/the-intentional-iep-book/

https://www.theintentionaliep.com/

https://www.facebook.com/theintentionaliep

https://www.instagram.com/theintentionaliep

If you’ve ever felt unsure about why a student is acting out or how to best support their needs, this episode will help you make sense of it all.

Stephanie shares practical ways to assess student behavior with clarity and confidence. Whether you’re prepping for an FBA, tracking classroom behaviors, or trying to figure out what’s really going on with a student, this conversation will help you take meaningful action.

You’ll learn:

• Why behavior assessments matter (and how they’re more than just checklists)
• Six effective tools you can use to assess student behavior
• How to choose the right tool for your student or situation
• Practical ways to turn your observations into confident advocacy

You’ll also hear strategies for observing behaviors, recognizing differences between home and school, and identifying the skills a student may be missing.

If you’ve been struggling to understand or support challenging behaviors, this episode offers supportive insight and tools you can start using right away.

Learn about the Four Functions of Behavior

And don’t forget — you can get 50% off your first month of membership https://products.theintentionaliep.com/tii-membership-50off1stmonth-podcast/

For more information, check out more of Stephanie's resources:

https://www.theintentionaliep.com/the-intentional-iep-book/

https://www.theintentionaliep.com/

https://www.facebook.com/theintentionaliep

https://www.instagram.com/theintentionaliep

In this episode, Stephanie welcomes Nichole for an important conversation about keeping trauma informed practices in IEPs. This episode is pulled straight from the members only training vault, giving you a peek inside one of the powerful conversations usually reserved for members.

Together, they explore what it truly means to be trauma informed and why this understanding is essential in today’s classrooms. Nichole shares how shifting our reactions and responses through a trauma informed lens can make a lasting difference for students. She also explains how these practices can be written directly into IEPs to create meaningful, long term support.

Here’s what Stephanie and Nichole cover in today’s episode:

• What it means to be trauma informed in the classroom

• Why this mindset is so important for both teachers and students

• The one golden question that helps reframe reactions and responses

• How trauma informed practices can be reflected in a student’s IEP

• What changes you might see when trauma informed strategies are used consistently

• Ways educators can stay regulated and model calm for students and support staff

If this conversation helps you rethink how you write and implement IEPs, share it with another educator who could benefit from it.

And don’t forget — you can get 50% off your first month of membership https://products.theintentionaliep.com/tii-membership-50off1stmonth-podcast/

For more information, check out more of Stephanie's resources:

https://www.theintentionaliep.com/the-intentional-iep-book/

https://www.theintentionaliep.com/

https://www.facebook.com/theintentionaliep

https://www.instagram.com/theintentionaliep

In this episode, Stephanie breaks down one of the biggest questions in special education: how does a student actually get an IEP? She explains what begins the process, what signs to look for, and what happens during and after the evaluation.

Whether you are a teacher noticing ongoing challenges or a parent wondering if your child needs extra support, Stephanie walks through the path from concern to services in a clear and practical way.

Here’s what Stephanie covers in today's episode:

• Why a student might be referred for special education

• What signs could indicate the need for an evaluation

• What happens during the evaluation process

• How eligibility for services is determined under IDEA

• What happens if a student qualifies or if they do not

Stephanie reminds listeners that special education is not about labeling but about support. If this episode brings clarity, share it with another teacher or parent who needs it. Listen in to learn how a student gets from concern to an IEP and why understanding this process matters.

And don’t forget — you can get 50% off your first month of membership https://products.theintentionaliep.com/tii-membership-50off1stmonth-podcast/

For more information, check out more of Stephanie's resources:

https://www.theintentionaliep.com/the-intentional-iep-book/

https://www.theintentionaliep.com/

https://www.facebook.com/theintentionaliep

https://www.instagram.com/theintentionaliep

AI is everywhere in education right now, and it’s easy to feel unsure about it. Today, we break down practical ways it can support your work without taking over your role.

In this episode of The Intentional IEP Podcast, we look at three ways AI can help special education teachers — from IEP writing to lesson planning and daily systems — all while keeping your professional expertise and heart at the center.

In this episode, you’ll hear:

• How to use AI to jumpstart IEP drafts while keeping your professional judgment at the center
• Simple ways AI can streamline data collection, communication, and daily systems
• How AI can save you hours of planning time by helping you adapt lessons for multiple learners
• The truth behind the biggest AI myths keeping teachers stuck in fear

AI won’t replace a good teacher. It can’t build relationships, notice a student’s subtle cues, or celebrate their small victories — that’s all you. But it can take the busywork off your plate so you can focus on what matters most: your students and your time.

And don’t forget — you can get 50% off your first month of membership https://products.theintentionaliep.com/tii-membership-50off1stmonth-podcast/

For more information, check out more of Stephanie's resources:

https://www.theintentionaliep.com/the-intentional-iep-book/

https://www.theintentionaliep.com/

https://www.facebook.com/theintentionaliep

https://www.instagram.com/theintentionaliep

If you’ve ever thought, Am I collecting enough data? Am I even doing this right? Does this even count as progress monitoring? You’re not alone. Data collection is one of the biggest stress points for special education teachers, and much of that stress comes from common myths.

In this episode, Stephanie tackles 5 of the biggest misconceptions about data collection and progress monitoring. From the pressure to take data every single day to the idea that spreadsheets are the only “real” way to track progress, you’ll get clarity, peace of mind, and practical fixes you can use right away.

You’ll hear:

• Why daily data collection isn’t required (and what to do instead)
• How to make any format — even sticky notes — work for you
• Simple ways to collect data during routines without stopping instruction
• How to monitor progress more consistently (and stress less at report time)
• What to do when a student isn’t meeting a goal — without scrapping the IEP

By the end, you’ll see that data isn’t about perfection. It’s about using the information you have to guide your instruction and support your students — and small shifts can make a big difference.

Check out the IEP Toolkit

And don’t forget — you can get 50% off your first month of membership https://products.theintentionaliep.com/tii-membership-50off1stmonth-podcast/

For more information, check out more of Stephanie's resources:

https://www.theintentionaliep.com/the-intentional-iep-book/

https://www.theintentionaliep.com/

https://www.facebook.com/theintentionaliep

https://www.instagram.com/theintentionaliep

Not all IEP meetings are created equal — and knowing the differences can make the entire process smoother for you and for families. In this episode of The Intentional IEP Podcast, Stephanie walks through the most common types of IEP meetings, what to expect in each, and how to prepare so every conversation feels purposeful and productive.

Here’s what you’ll learn in this episode:

• The most common IEP meeting types — annual reviews, eligibility, dismissals, amendments, and more
• What actually happens at each meeting (and how to keep it simple when explaining it to parents)
• Quick prep tips that save time and make meetings run smoother
• How to approach specialized meetings like manifestation determinations or transition planning
• The pros and cons of in-person, virtual, and phone meetings — and how to make the most of each format
• Why intentional prep makes meetings feel less stressful and more collaborative for everyone involved

By the end of this episode, you’ll feel ready to walk into any IEP meeting knowing what’s ahead and how to prepare. When you show up confident and organized, families feel supported and the whole team can focus on what matters most — creating the best plan for the student.

And don’t forget — you can get 50% off your first month of membership https://products.theintentionaliep.com/tii-membership-50off1stmonth-podcast/

For more information, check out more of Stephanie's resources:

https://www.theintentionaliep.com/the-intentional-iep-book/

https://www.theintentionaliep.com/

https://www.facebook.com/theintentionaliep

https://www.instagram.com/theintentionaliep

If you’ve ever wondered what absolutely must be in every IEP you write — whether it’s your first or your 400th — this episode is for you. Stephanie breaks down the 8 legally required components of an IEP under IDEA, plus a few bonus considerations that often get overlooked but are just as important.

Here’s what you’ll hear in this episode:

• Why present levels set the stage for everything else
• How to write measurable annual goals that keep you compliant and meaningful
• What IDEA says about progress monitoring and parent communication
• The services, supports, and accommodations section — and why it must tie back to data
• What to include in your LRE statement and why it’s one of the most litigated areas of an IEP
• The logistics that make your plan actionable: start dates, frequency, location, and duration
• Transition planning requirements (and why waiting until age 16 is often too late)
• Placement decisions and the importance of considering general education first
• Plus: extra legal requirements for students with specific needs

By the end of this episode, you’ll know exactly what belongs in every IEP — no fluff, no “my district likes it this way,” just the federally required pieces that keep your paperwork compliant and your students supported.

Make IEP writing easier with the IEP Toolkit

And don’t forget — you can get 50% off your first month of membership https://products.theintentionaliep.com/tii-membership-50off1stmonth-podcast/

For more information, check out more of Stephanie's resources:

https://www.theintentionaliep.com/the-intentional-iep-book/

https://www.theintentionaliep.com/

https://www.facebook.com/theintentionaliep

https://www.instagram.com/theintentionaliep