What happens when a fiercely intelligent parent is told her child just isn’t “a good fit” for school?
In this raw and powerful episode, Karen Mayer Cunningham, the Special Education Boss®, sits down with Kentucky-based mom, medical professional, and now advocate, Angie Pannuti. What began as a personal struggle with sleep-deprived nights, guilt-filled days, and a nonverbal toddler has turned into a mission to shift entire school systems—starting with her son, Michael.
Angie shares her journey:
• Navigating early intervention and a rocky preschool transition
• Feeling like she was failing as a parent (despite being a physician assistant!)
• The moment she realized something had to change
• Finding Karen’s videos late one night on Facebook Reels
• Attending board meetings, joining the Academy, and becoming “all in”
• Starting a nonprofit, Special Education Lifeline, to support families in Kentucky
This episode is a masterclass in what happens when a parent is empowered with the right tools, training, and support—and the ripple effect it creates in communities, classrooms, and systems.
💡 You’ll hear:
• Why Angie had to step back as “just mom” to truly advocate
• The power of saying, “Show me the data.”
• How a structured classroom transformed Michael’s school year
• Why teachers, not just parents, are joining the Academy in record numbers
• What it really means to “train everyone at the IEP/504 table”
If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed, outnumbered, or underprepared in special education—this conversation is your lifeline.
Support the show (https://www.buzzsprout.com/2464872/support)
✨ When we get it right for the child, we get it right for everybody. ✨
👩⚖️ Hosted by Karen Mayer Cunningham, Advocate & Special Education Boss®
Each week, Karen shares real stories, legal insights, and no-nonsense strategies to help you navigate special education with clarity and confidence.
👉 Subscribe & never miss an episode — new episodes drop every week!
🎓 Join The Academy: Weekly live trainings + 250+ hours of advocacy tools & expert resources
🔗 Learn more at The Academy (https://www.skool.com/special-education-academy/about)
📬 Have a question? Email us at advocate@specialeducationacademy.com
📱 Follow Karen on:
• TikTok (https://www.tiktok.com/@specialeducationboss) & Instagram: @specialeducationboss
• YouTube: Special Education Academy (https://www.youtube.com/c/SpecialEducationAcademy/videos)
🧠 Want to level up your advocacy game?
Check out the Advocate's Bookshelf — a curated collection of must-have tools, guides, and legal references every special education advocate should own. From federal code to diagnostic manuals, these are the essentials that help you advocate with clarity and confidence.
📚 Browse now: https://amzn.to/3RiQPLl
(As an Amazon Associate, Karen may earn a small commission if you make a purchase — at no extra cost to you.)
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In this raw and powerful episode, Karen Mayer Cunningham, the Special Education Boss®, sits down with Kentucky-based mom, medical professional, and now advocate, Angie Pannuti. What began as a personal struggle with sleep-deprived nights, guilt-filled days, and a nonverbal toddler has turned into a mission to shift entire school systems—starting with her son, Michael.
Angie shares her journey:
• Navigating early intervention and a rocky preschool transition
• Feeling like she was failing as a parent (despite being a physician assistant!)
• The moment she realized something had to change
• Finding Karen’s videos late one night on Facebook Reels
• Attending board meetings, joining the Academy, and becoming “all in”
• Starting a nonprofit, Special Education Lifeline, to support families in Kentucky
This episode is a masterclass in what happens when a parent is empowered with the right tools, training, and support—and the ripple effect it creates in communities, classrooms, and systems.
💡 You’ll hear:
• Why Angie had to step back as “just mom” to truly advocate
• The power of saying, “Show me the data.”
• How a structured classroom transformed Michael’s school year
• Why teachers, not just parents, are joining the Academy in record numbers
• What it really means to “train everyone at the IEP/504 table”
If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed, outnumbered, or underprepared in special education—this conversation is your lifeline.
Support the show (https://www.buzzsprout.com/2464872/support)
✨ When we get it right for the child, we get it right for everybody. ✨
👩⚖️ Hosted by Karen Mayer Cunningham, Advocate & Special Education Boss®
Each week, Karen shares real stories, legal insights, and no-nonsense strategies to help you navigate special education with clarity and confidence.
👉 Subscribe & never miss an episode — new episodes drop every week!
🎓 Join The Academy: Weekly live trainings + 250+ hours of advocacy tools & expert resources
🔗 Learn more at The Academy (https://www.skool.com/special-education-academy/about)
📬 Have a question? Email us at advocate@specialeducationacademy.com
📱 Follow Karen on:
• TikTok (https://www.tiktok.com/@specialeducationboss) & Instagram: @specialeducationboss
• YouTube: Special Education Academy (https://www.youtube.com/c/SpecialEducationAcademy/videos)
🧠 Want to level up your advocacy game?
Check out the Advocate's Bookshelf — a curated collection of must-have tools, guides, and legal references every special education advocate should own. From federal code to diagnostic manuals, these are the essentials that help you advocate with clarity and confidence.
📚 Browse now: https://amzn.to/3RiQPLl
(As an Amazon Associate, Karen may earn a small commission if you make a purchase — at no extra cost to you.)
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