Choosing the right accommodations and modifications can feel overwhelming, but they are essential for student access and meaningful participation. In this episode of The Intentional IEP Podcast, pulled from our members-only vault, Stephanie and guest Tim explain how to identify, locate, and select the most effective supports and connect them to the rest of the IEP.

In this episode, Stephanie:

• Explains what accommodations and modifications are and why they are essential in an IEP
• Shows where supports appear in the IEP by considering behavior, curriculum, learning, and assessment
• Provides practical examples for each category, including behavior plans, sensory supports, curriculum modifications, adapted equipment, supplementary aids, and assessment accommodations
• Highlights how accommodations and modifications link to goals, present levels, and meaningful student engagement
• Offers guidance for selecting the right supports for each student

Teachers will walk away with practical strategies to make accommodations and modifications purposeful, effective, and tailored to each 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

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, Stephanie explores what real inclusion looks like and how it can be practiced every day.

Inclusion is a mindset and a series of intentional choices that help every student feel seen, supported, and able to access learning.

In this episode, Stephanie:

• Shows how to design lessons and adapt tasks so every student can fully access learning without being separated
• Shares strategies to build trust, collaboration, and shared ownership with paras, co-teachers, and the broader team
• Explains how to give students voice and choice while advocating for inclusion in every classroom and team interaction

Stephanie provides actionable strategies teachers can use immediately to make classrooms more welcoming, inclusive, and student-focused.

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 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 the part of the IEP process that’s often ignored: analyzing data. Not just collecting it, but actually using it to guide your next steps.

You’ll get a clear, step-by-step system for turning raw data into confident, actionable decisions without spending hours or feeling burned out. Stephanie walks through how to spot meaningful patterns, compare progress to goals, ask the right questions, and adjust instruction based on what the data and context are telling you.

By the end of this episode, you’ll know how to:

• Make sense of the numbers and see real trends in student progress
• Identify red flags before they become bigger issues
• Make small, intentional adjustments that have a real impact

This isn’t about perfection...it’s about clarity, confidence, and actionable steps. If you’ve ever stared at a pile of IEP data and thought, “Now what?” this episode gives you the system to start moving forward.

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 sits down with Cortnie to dive into documenting student needs in the IEP. Pulled straight from The Intentional IEP membership, this conversation breaks down how to identify a child’s specific needs and document them in a way that’s clear, meaningful, and actionable.

Stephanie and Cortnie use real, concrete examples to walk through a blank IEP, showing exactly what to include and how to phrase it. They cover the steps you need to follow, explain why thorough documentation matters, and emphasize one key point above all: document, document, document.

If you’ve ever felt unsure about how to capture a student’s needs, or wondered what “good documentation” actually looks like, this episode gives you practical guidance you can start using right away.

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

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