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If you're a special educator feeling nervous about IEP meetings, you'll find help and support right here!

This is not going to be a helpful set of checklists and a “you got this!” (although you totally do!). This is real help because I understand.

I've been there.

Here's my timeline of IEP Meeting attendance:

  • Year 1 – feeling downright petrified with borderline panic, and staying completely silent 🤐
  • Year 2 – still feeling nervous, but able to read from my prepared notes (in a shaky voice)
  • Years 3/4 – starting to feel like I belonged at the table, experiencing glimmers of success (and then repeating them over and over again)
  • Years 5+ – actually looking forward to meetings, anticipating questions, and feeling confident to speak to the data

Don't worry, you won't have to wait five years to start feeling comfortable!

Why do we get so nervous about I.E.P. Meetings?

Maybe we're overwhelmed with the data, the 22+ page legal document, all the requirements…

Or maybe it's the school psychologist that you feel is analyzing YOU. Or is it the family members?

Or just maybe, it's the fact that the decisions we're making have an IMPACT on a child's FUTURE.

Yeah, that might be it.

Preparation is your best friend.

I'm here to gently remind you that you earned that seat at the I.E.P. table. You've done the work and I know you care, very, very much. Now we just need to quelch those nerves so you can say what you want to say when the time is right!

I find feeling prepared goes a long way to relaxing during the meeting. If you know you have the data and you've done the work beforehand, then you'll be able to stay present during the meeting. What's the alternative? Shuffling papers and not listening because you're trying to think ahead about what you're going to say next.

No, let's not do that.

This is an IEP Meeting Quick Kit that's designed to help you prepare and save time!

Here's what's included:

IEP Checklist

Use an IEP checklist to make sure you've dotted the i's and crossed all the t's. The checklist can be an outline of the IEP itself – once you get to the end, the IEP is prepared (and so are you!). No more of that “what am I forgetting?” feeling!

This same checklist can also serve as an agenda for the meeting. There are two formats – one with my notes for you and one with room to add your own.

I.E.P. Preparation for General Educators

This is what made me nervous well before the actual I.E.P. meeting. So basically, I created this for myself, lol. The General Educators IEP Prep and Meeting Report are printables that make it easy to collect what you need from the general educators. It will save them time, too!

This I.E.P. Meeting Quick Kit also includes a meeting attendance form and note-taking page that will make it look like you have it altogether – because now you do!

I recommend setting aside a prepared binder complete with all the printables, plenty of pens, dividers to stay organized, and anything else that will help you stay focused during the meeting. When the time comes, you can just grab this binder and already know you're ready for anything!

Want a closer look?

Hi there.

I'm Jennifer!

I’m Jennifer and I was a special educator in the elementary school setting over the past decade. I entered the classroom every day dedicated to making learning inclusive AND engaging.

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