The Intentional IEP Podcast
Episodes
E57. How to Explain Lack of Progress to Parents (Without Panic)
01 Jun 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Talking to parents about a lack of progress is one of the most challenging parts of being a special education teacher. When you've been working hard, ...
E56. The Top 5 Self-Reflection Questions Teachers Should Ask at the End of the Year
25 May 2026
Contributed by Lukas
The school year is over. The desks are empty, the paperwork is done, and for the first time in a long time… there’s space to pause.Not the kind ti...
E55. 3 Benefits of Sending a Draft IEP Home Before the Meeting
18 May 2026
Contributed by Lukas
IEP meetings can quickly become overwhelming when families are seeing everything for the first time at the table. In this episode, Stephanie breaks do...
E54. Fading Prompts + the Prompt Hierarchy: What Every Special Ed Teacher Needs to Know
11 May 2026
Contributed by Lukas
If a student can only complete a task when an adult steps in, are we teaching the skill… or teaching dependence? In this episode, Stephanie is unpac...
E53. From Control to Connection: A Trauma-Informed Roadmap for Transforming Student Behavior
05 May 2026
Contributed by Lukas
If student behavior has been leaving you feeling stuck, this episode is one to lean into. This conversation challenges the way we’ve been taught to ...
E52. What If a Student Needs a Different LRE?
27 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
LRE conversations can feel heavy, especially when you’re trying to figure out if a student’s current placement is actually working. This episode w...
E51. Labels Don’t Equal Placement: Making Meaningful LRE Decisions That Match Student Needs
20 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
If you’ve ever walked out of an LRE meeting knowing the decision didn’t fully make sense, this episode is for you.Whitney and Stephanie get into t...
E50. IEP Amendements 101
13 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
IEP amendments are one of the most effective ways to make timely changes to a student’s plan without waiting for the annual meeting. In this episode...
E49. 11 IEP Writing Mistakes and How to Fix Them
06 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
If your IEPs feel rushed, inconsistent, or harder than they should be to write, you’re not the only one. A lot of what shows up in IEPs comes down t...
E48. Test-Taking Accommodations: What’s Allowed, What Works, and Why It Matters
30 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Test taking accommodations can feel confusing for many special education teachers, especially during testing season. Questions often come up about wha...
E47. What to Do When Parents Disagree with the IEP Team
23 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Disagreements in IEP meetings can feel uncomfortable, especially when emotions are high and everyone in the room is trying to advocate for what they b...
E46. Managing Special Ed Paperwork Without the Overwhelm
16 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Paperwork is one of the biggest sources of stress for special education teachers. It’s not just writing IEPs. It’s data logs, service minutes, pro...
E45. 9 Types of Lesson Adaptations Every SPED Teacher Should Know
09 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Lesson adaptations are one of the most practical tools teachers can use, yet they are often confused with accommodations and modifications. In this ep...
E44. Test Taking Strategies
02 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, we’re talking about a topic that can bring up a lot of mixed feelings in the special education world: test taking.Benchmark assessm...
E43. Prioritizing IEP Goals
23 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
You sit down to plan your week, look at your caseload, and immediately feel the pressure. Communication goals. Reading fluency. Fine motor. Math facts...
E42. Helping Students Build Independence
16 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Stephanie brings listeners into one of the most important skills we can teach our students independence. It’s not about making our lives easier or s...
E41. Top 6 Special Education Books for Teachers
09 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Stephanie shares the books she returns to again and again — resources that have helped her understand IEPs, advocate confidently, p...
E40. Maintaining Current Skill Levels for Mastered Goals
02 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Have you ever had a student master an IEP goal, only to come back later and realize that skill didn’t stick?In this episode, Stephanie talks through...
E39. The Power of IEP Impact Statements
26 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
One short paragraph can make or break an IEP. And yet impact statements are often rushed, copied forward, or treated like filler.In this episode Steph...
E38. Special Ed Law: What You Need to Know
19 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Whether you’re a veteran teacher, a parent, or brand new to special education, the law matters. It shapes eligibility decisions, service delivery, a...
E37. Understanding the LRE: The Least Restrictive Environment Explained
12 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Stephanie breaks down LRE and why most of what we assume about placement is wrong. LRE isn’t about keeping students in general education or giving “...
EP36. 5 Misconceptions About Student Behavior
05 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Stephanie breaks down the top 5 misconceptions about student behavior and shows you how to respond in ways that actually work. You’...
E35. End of the Year Pep Talk for Special Ed Teachers
29 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
If no one has told you lately, you’re doing the impossible every day. This episode of The Intentional IEP Podcast is a reminder of the inc...
E34. Breaking Down Student Self Advocacy
22 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
What if the most powerful thing a student learned wasn’t academic but how to speak up for themselves? In this episode of The Intentional IEP Podcast...
E33. Choosing the Right Accommodations + Modifications with Tim
15 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Choosing the right accommodations and modifications can feel overwhelming, but they are essential for student access and meaningful participation. In ...
E32. 7 Ways to Be More Inclusive in the Classroom
08 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
What if inclusion does not start with a schedule or a seating chart but with your next small decision? In this episode of The Intentional IEP Podcast,...
E31. Making Data Driven Decisions
01 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
If your IEP binder is full but you’re still unsure whether your students are actually making progress, this episode is for you. Stephanie dives into...
E30. Documenting Student Need in the IEP
24 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Stephanie sits down with Cortnie to dive into documenting student needs in the IEP. Pulled straight from The Intentional IEP&nbs...
E29. The Different Types of IEP Data Explained
17 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 ...
E28. The Crucial Role Gen Ed Teachers Play in IEPs
10 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 d...
E27. How to Build IEP Teams That Support Students
03 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 so...
E26. How to Assess Student Behavior Effectively
27 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 ...
E25. How to Write Trauma Informed Practices into IEPs
20 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Stephanie welcomes Nichole for an important conversation about keeping trauma informed practices in IEPs. This episode is pulled stra...
E24. What Qualifies a Child for an IEP?
13 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 be...
E23. 3 Ways AI Can Help Special Education Teachers (Without Taking Your Job)
06 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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...
E22. 7 Misconceptions Teachers Have About Data Collection
29 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 alon...
E21. Understanding the Different Types of IEP Meetings
22 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 ...
E20. What Legally Has to Be in Every IEP
15 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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...
E19. Changing Your Mindset About Challenging Student Behavior
08 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
This episode might look a little different, but Stephanie is excited to give listeners a peek into one of the expert guest trainings from The Intentio...
E18. The Problem with 80% Accuracy in 3 of 4 Trials
01 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
That phrase on IEPs — “80% accuracy in 3 out of 4 trials” — doesn’t actually measure mastery. On today's episode, Stephanie breaks down why ...
E17. 10+ Things Not to Say in an IEP Meeting
25 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
We spend so much time preparing for IEP meetings—writing goals, gathering data, pulling everything together—yet when we finally sit down at the ta...
E16. What Every General Education Teacher Needs to Know
18 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
If you teach in a general education classroom, this episode is for you. Students with IEPs are in your class every day, and knowing how to read, under...
E15. Goals VS Objectives VS Benchmarks
11 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Let’s be honest — writing IEP goals can feel overwhelming and confusing, especially when it comes to understanding the difference between annual g...
E14. SDI Implementation
05 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Ever catch yourself wondering, “Am I actually doing SDI the way I’m supposed to?” Stephanie’s got you covered in this episode. She breaks down...
E13. A Better Way to Schedule Your Day in Special Education
28 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Let's talk about the one thing you always need more of: time. In this episode, Stephanie walks through how to intentionallycreate a sch...
E12. 3 Things to Do at Back to School Time
21 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of The Intentional IEP Podcast, host Stephanie cuts through the noise and gets straight to what actually helps at the start of th...
E11. 5 Practical Tips for Paraprofessional Collaboration That Works
14 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Paraprofessionals do so much more than we often give them credit for. They're not just an extra set of hands—they’re part of the backbone of our c...
E10. Using an IEP Goal Bank to Save Time
07 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
If you’ve ever stared at a blank IEP and wondered where to start with writing meaningful goals, you’re not alone. In this episode, we’re talking...
E9. Using AI Ethically As A Special Education Teacher
30 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
What does it really mean to use AI ethically as a special education teacher?AI is everywhere—but how do you use it without losing your professional ...
E8. Setting Up a Sensory Friendly Classroom
23 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
What does “sensory-friendly” actually mean?In this episode, we’re breaking down the what, why, and how of creating a sensory-friendly classroom....
E7. 7 Common Misconceptions About IEPs
16 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Stephanie is breaking down some of the most common (and frustrating) misconceptions about IEPs—the ones every special education tea...
E6. Teaching with Intention During ESY
09 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Stephanie shares how to approach teaching during Extended School Year (ESY) with purpose and clarity. If you're walking into a summer...
E5. Accommodations vs. Modifications
02 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Accommodations and modifications aren’t the same thing—and knowing the difference is key to providing the right support. In this episode, Stephani...
E4. The Importance of Analyzing IEP Data
26 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Stephanie dives into one of the most common questions she hears from educators: “How many data points do I actually need?” While ...
E3. The Different Types of IEP Goal Criteria
19 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In today's episode, Stephanie breaks down 7 different types of IEP goal criteria and explains how to use them effectively. She walks through...
E2. Specially Designed Instruction
12 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Stephanie breaks down the core of Specially Designed Instruction (SDI)—what it is, what it isn’t, and why it matters. Hint: accom...
E1. Extended School Year (ESY) Determination
05 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Welcome to the first episode of The Intentional IEP Podcast!In today’s episode, we’re kicking things off by diving into Extended School ...
The Intentional IEP Podcast with Stephanie DeLussey
08 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
I vividly remember being a special education classroom teacher, and every single one of my memories revolves around IEPs. Whether it was sitting at my...