Hi! I am…
Karen Mayer Cunningham Special Education Boss™
Special Education Advocate
I have been advocating on behalf of children for over 25 years. I am passionate about training, educating, and empowering everyone that sits at the 504/IEP table. The goal is successful student outcomes for all children and by educating, equipping, and training families and educators on how to navigate IEPs successfully, this goal can be achieved.
I am relentless in getting the services and resources for every child to succeed in the classroom. Over the past several years I have made it my personal responsibility and passion mission to educate as many parents and educators as possible.
My journey as an advocate began in an effort to get needed services for my own son, but along the way, I found a calling to educate, equip, and train families to successfully navigate the special education system.
What I do
- Advocate, World Changer 89%
- Keynote Speaker, Educator Development & Training 95%
- Comedy & Inspiration 85%
What People Say About Special Education Academy™, the Advocate …
Special Education Boss™, Karen Mayer Cunningham
As an educator for the past 10 years, I learned more from Karen’s training than I ever did as a district employee in special education. She provides you with the knowledge they don’t teach you in college or on the job. No matter your place at the IEP table, you NEED her training!
Karen is the reason my son has a chance. He was in third grade when I found her; I quickly
joined The Academy and began looking through my son’s initial evaluation and IEP. It didn’t take long for me to see the many problems and violations; a week later, I emailed Karen asking for her help. She walked with me through his third-grade year while we forced the district to reevaluate him and craft an appropriate IEP that would serve his needs. Through this personal experience, I saw that it wasn’t just my child. Millions of children are passed along and underserved every day, not just as mine. So when the opportunity to take the inaugural 2- day intensive presented itself, I couldn’t pass it up. I flew to Houston and emersed myself in everything IDEA, goals, accommodations…Etc. This experience learning from Karen was life-changing, I was not only able to leave a job that was no longer serving me, but I was able to get my children the services and compensatory time they deserve. Now I hope to do the same for others.
"Karen is honest, straightforward, has a big heart, and commands a healthy respect from each school system she confronts."
"Karen helped us navigate the unfamiliar, and put us at ease with her guidance and support."
"Karen is the best of the best! Her professionalism and knowledge allow you to make inroads for your child."
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