What is Special Education Academy?

Special Education Academy is an online education and training platform founded by Karen Mayer Cunningham, Special Education Boss®. It provides 300+ hours of on-demand training, weekly live coaching, and structured programs for parents, educators, advocates, and professionals who are involved in the IEP and 504 process. The Academy helps everyone who sits at the IEP/504 table navigate and negotiate successful student outcomes.

Who is Karen Mayer Cunningham?

Karen Mayer Cunningham is the founder of Special Education Academy™, the creator of The Epic IEP™ educational framework, and the host of the Special Education Boss® podcast. With over 25 years of experience in special education advocacy and training, Karen educates parents, advocates, educators, and professionals on how to understand and navigate the special education process. She is the author of The Epic IEP™, The Epic IEP™: PARA, and The Epic IEP™ Guide to Federal and State Law for Special Education.

What is The Epic IEP™ 2-Day Special Education Advocacy Intensive?

The Epic IEP™ 2-Day Special Education Advocacy Intensive is a foundational training that teaches the full IEP process from start to finish. It covers IDEA, procedural safeguards, IEP development, 504 Plans, eligibility, FAPE, advocacy strategy, and meeting preparation. It is available in three formats: live in-person in Houston, TX, live virtual via Zoom, and on-demand (recorded). This training is the prerequisite for the Professional Advocacy Mastermind.

What training does Special Education Academy offer for parents?

Special Education Academy offers training designed to help parents understand the IEP and 504 process, learn their procedural rights, prepare for school meetings, understand evaluations and eligibility, and advocate effectively for their child's education. Programs include The Epic IEP™ 2-Day Intensive, The EPIC Academy membership with 300+ hours of training, and topic-specific on-demand courses covering areas like evaluation requests, IEP goal writing, compensatory services, and state complaints.

What is the difference between the 2-Day Intensive and The Academy membership?

The Epic IEP™ 2-Day Intensive is a foundational deep-dive training that teaches the full IEP process from eligibility to implementation in a structured two-day format. The Academy is an ongoing membership with 300+ hours of on-demand training, weekly live coaching calls, topic-based series, and a community for continued learning. Many participants start with the 2-Day Intensive and then join The Academy for ongoing support and deeper education.

Does Special Education Academy provide legal advice?

No. Special Education Academy provides education and training, not legal advice or legal representation. The trainings educate participants about special education rights, procedures, and processes so they can show up informed and prepared. For legal advice specific to your situation, consult a special education attorney.

Karen Mayer Cunningham: Events & Tour Dates 2026

Karen Mayer Cunningham | Tour & Events

In Person Virtual Free VIP Option

July 2026

Jul

In Person

PossAbilities Expo

Bowling Green, KY · Saturday

A day of resources for families and professionals in the special needs community. Find Karen and talk through what it looks like to sit at the table prepared.

Event Info

Jul

25–29

In Person

Innovative Schools Summit — Nashville

Gaylord Opryland, Nashville, TN

Catch Karen at one of the largest gatherings of school leaders and educators in the country, with real strategy for building IEPs that actually get implemented.

Conference Info

Jul

In Person

The Epic IEP™ Training — Columbus, OH

Columbus, OH · A ticketed training

A live Epic IEP training in Columbus. Bring your questions, leave with a plan you can actually use at your next meeting.

Email for Details

Jul

In Person

The Epic IEP™ Training — Wilmington, OH

Wilmington, OH

Karen brings Epic IEP strategy to Wilmington. Practical, plain-language training for parents, advocates, and the whole team at the table.

Email for Details

August 2026

Aug

In Person

Empowered Special Ed Summit

Fishkill (Dutchess County), NY · 11:00 AM–4:45 PM ET

A full day built for parents, caregivers, and advocates in the Hudson Valley. Karen joins a lineup focused on knowing your rights and showing up ready for the IEP and 504 table.

Get Tickets

Aug

13–14

In Person

Think Media Live — Las Vegas

Las Vegas, NV · with Sean Cannell & the Think Media team

Karen joins the Think Media community to sharpen how this mission reaches more families and educators who need it.

Email for Details

Aug

22–23

Virtual

The Epic IEP™ 2-Day Advocacy Intensive

Live · Virtual

Two days, fully live and online. Karen walks you through the IEP and 504 process page by page so you can sit at the table prepared and negotiate successful student outcomes.

Aug

In Person Free

Free One-Day Epic IEP™ Workshop

Oldham County (La Grange), KY

A free, in-person one-day workshop. Real training for parents, advocates, and the whole team at the table. Community sponsor and vendor spots are available.

September 2026

Sep

Virtual

The Mastermind — Final 2026 Cohort

Begins September 10 · The last cohort of the year

The final Mastermind of 2026 kicks off. If you have been waiting to go deeper with Karen, this is the last chance this year. Spots are limited.

Email for Details

Sep

In Person Virtual VIP Option

The Epic IEP™ Workshop with the Boss — Houston

University of St. Thomas, Houston, TX · Ticketed · In person and streaming live

A ticketed workshop and training with the Boss, in person and online, with a VIP Lunch with the Boss option for a smaller-room conversation with Karen. Email us for registration details.

Email for Details

October 2026

Oct

In Person

PGI Annual Fundraiser

Location to be announced

Karen joins PGI's yearly fundraiser in support of the families and community they serve.

Email for Details

November 2026

Nov

5–7

In Person

Texas AEYC Annual Conference

Round Rock, TX (Austin metro)

Find Karen at the Texas Association for the Education of Young Children conference, where early childhood educators come to sharpen their practice.

Conference Info

Nov

19–21

In Person

ASHA Convention

Indiana Convention Center, Indianapolis, IN

Come see Karen at the ASHA Convention, alongside speech-language pathologists and educators. Stop by to talk IEPs, services, and getting it right for the child.

Conference Info

December 2026

Dec

3–5

In Person

Innovative Schools Summit — San Antonio

Marriott Rivercenter, San Antonio, TX

The Innovative Schools Summit returns to San Antonio. Catch Karen and Epic IEP strategy alongside educators and school teams from across the country.

Conference Info

Dec

6–8

In Person

NAEYC Annual Conference — Centennial

Washington, DC · The 100th Annual Conference

Karen closes out the year at the National Association for the Education of Young Children's centennial conference in the nation's capital.

Conference Info

Coming Soon

Cruise the Seas with the Special Education Boss — Spring 2028

Join the Waitlist

Recent Appearances

Jul 11–12 · BookThinkers Annual Event
Karen joined as a speaker and panelist.

Jul 15–16 · Brand Builders Group Accelerator
Sharpening the message so this mission reaches more of the people who need it.

New dates are added often

This is your one place for every Epic IEP training, book tour stop, and appearance. Bookmark it, and be the first to grab a seat when new dates drop.

Get on the List

“When we get it right for the child, we get it right for everyone.”

— Karen Mayer Cunningham

This is educational training, not legal advice.