Professional Advocacy Mastermind
You took the Intensive. You built the foundation. Now it's time to go deeper — sharpen your skills, strengthen your strategy, and do this work at the level families deserve.
Join the WaitlistGet ready while you wait: Start The Epic IEP™ Advocacy Intensive | On-Demand
This Mastermind Is Not for Everyone
This isn't a replay of what you already learned. This is the next level — for advocates who are ready to implement, lead, and make a difference at a high level.
You've completed the Advocacy Intensive and you're ready to put that foundation into real-world, high-level practice.
You're a professional advocate — or becoming one — who wants strategic guidance, not just general information.
You want accountability and structure — a focused environment to sharpen your skills alongside peers who are equally serious about this work.
You're committed to making a difference — not just for one child, but for families across your community and beyond.
Prerequisite: You must have attended and completed the Special Education Advocacy Intensive Training before enrolling.
Haven't taken it yet? Get ready while you wait: Start The Epic IEP™ Advocacy Intensive | On-Demand today.
What You'll Walk Away With
This is where knowledge becomes practice. You don't just learn it — you learn how to use it.
Deep-dive case strategy — learn how to analyze IEPs, identify violations, and build a clear path forward for your clients.
Advanced IDEA application — move beyond the basics into real-world implementation of procedural safeguards, FAPE, and eligibility strategy.
Documentation and communication systems — build the workflows and written processes that make you effective, organized, and credible.
How to navigate difficult IEP meetings — preparation strategies, response techniques, and how to stay grounded under pressure.
Building your advocacy practice — the operational and strategic side of doing this work sustainably and professionally.
Live coaching with Karen Mayer Cunningham — real questions, real scenarios, direct feedback. This is where the learning sticks.
How the Mastermind Runs
6 Live Sessions • Via Zoom • 6:00–9:00 PM CST • 3 Hours Per Session
The Fall 2026 Mastermind is in session. Join the waitlist and you will be the first to hear the 2027 dates and when enrollment opens.
All sessions are live and interactive. Come prepared to engage, ask questions, and work through real scenarios with Karen.
*If schedule changes are needed due to unforeseen circumstances, the Special Education Academy™ team will coordinate directly with the group.
Get ready while you wait. The Advocacy Intensive is the prerequisite for the Mastermind, and you can start it on demand today.
Hear It From Someone Who's Been in the Room
Don't take our word for it. Listen to what Mastermind graduates have to say about the experience.
What Mastermind Graduates Are Saying
Your Trainer: Karen Mayer Cunningham
Karen Mayer Cunningham is the Special Education Boss® — an educator, trainer, and nationally recognized authority on IEP and 504 advocacy. She created Special Education Academy™ and The Epic IEP™ to help parents, advocates, and professionals understand the special education process and show up prepared.
She doesn't just teach theory. She teaches you what works. With hundreds of hours of training delivered to thousands of advocates and families across the country, Karen brings clarity to a system that too many people find confusing and overwhelming.
The Mastermind is where Karen works directly with committed advocates who are ready to go beyond the foundation — into strategy, implementation, and professional-level practice. You don't know what you don't know — but you need to.
"When we get it right for the child, we get it right for everyone."
— Karen Mayer Cunningham
Join the 2027 Mastermind Waitlist
The Fall 2026 Mastermind is in session. Join the waitlist and you will be the first to hear the 2027 dates and when enrollment opens. The Mastermind is intentionally kept small.
Professional Advocacy Mastermind
2027 Waitlist
- 6 live, interactive sessions with Karen (3 hours each)
- 18 total hours of advanced advocacy training
- Real-time case strategy and direct Q&A
- Small-group environment for personalized coaching
- Prerequisite: Advocacy Intensive completion required
Get ready while you wait: Start The Epic IEP™ Advocacy Intensive | On-Demand
Questions Before You Join
When is the next Mastermind?
+The Fall 2026 Mastermind is currently in session. The next cohort will open in 2027. Join the waitlist on this page and you will be the first to hear the dates and when enrollment opens.
I haven't taken the Advocacy Intensive yet. Can I still join?
+Yes. The Epic IEP™ Advocacy Intensive | On-Demand is the full Intensive, recorded. Start it today so you are ready when the 2027 cohort opens.
Do I need to have completed the Advocacy Intensive first?
+Yes. The Professional Advocacy Mastermind is built on the foundation you receive during the Special Education Advocacy Intensive Training. You must have attended and completed the Intensive before enrolling. If you haven't taken it yet, start The Epic IEP™ Advocacy Intensive | On-Demand today so you are ready when enrollment opens.
Is this the same content as the Academy or the Advocacy Intensive?
+No. The Mastermind is advanced, implementation-focused training designed for professional advocates and high-level practitioners. There is no crossover with Academy or Advocacy Intensive content. This is next-level work.
Will payment plans be available?
+Pricing and payment options will be shared with the waitlist when 2027 enrollment opens. Questions? Email admin@specialeducationacademy.com.
I've already completed the Mastermind. Can I attend again?
+Absolutely. Mastermind alumni are welcome to return. Join the waitlist and alumni details will be shared when enrollment opens.
What if I can't make one of the sessions?
+All sessions are live and interactive, and attendance at every session is strongly encouraged to get the full value. Sessions are recorded when available, and replays stay in your course for one month after the Mastermind ends. If schedule changes are needed due to unforeseen circumstances, the Special Education Academy™ team will coordinate directly with the group.
How many people are in each Mastermind group?
+Enrollment is intentionally limited to keep the experience focused, personalized, and effective. This is not a large webinar — it's a working group with direct access to Karen Mayer Cunningham.
What is the refund policy?
+All sales are final and non-refundable. However, your registration is transferable — you may transfer your seat to a future Mastermind date or to another qualified individual who has completed the Advocacy Intensive. Transfer requests should be sent to admin@specialeducationacademy.com.
Registration & Refund Policy
All sales are final and non-refundable. Registration is transferable to a future Mastermind date or to another qualified participant who has completed the Special Education Advocacy Intensive Training. To request a transfer, contact admin@specialeducationacademy.com. Zoom link and session details will be provided prior to the first session.
You Don't Know What You Don't Know — But You Need To.
You've already taken the first step with the Intensive. The Mastermind gives you the strategy, the practice, and the direct coaching to do this work at the level families need and deserve.
Join the WaitlistGet ready while you wait: Start The Epic IEP™ Advocacy Intensive | On-Demand
"When we get it right for the child, we get it right for everyone."
— Karen Mayer Cunningham