If you’ve ever thought, “I’d love to help parents with IEPs, but I need a flexible option. I don’t have time to sit for hours at a desk coaching families,” you’ve found the right place.

I’m Catherine Kahl, founder of the Master IEP Coach® Mentorship, and I’m here to let you in on a little secret: you don’t need a home office, a fancy desk, or even a perfectly quiet house to start making a difference (and income) with your IEP experience.

In fact, I haven’t worked at a desk in years.

Over the past 30 years, I’ve built a sustainable, profitable IEP coaching business from my backpack—while raising two daughters as a single mom, navigating my family’s unpredictable medical needs, and now coaching future Master IEP Coaches® from a camper van parked somewhere by a beach in Florida.

Let’s talk about how this works (IEP Coaching as a Master IEP Coach®), what’s in my backpack, and how you can use your experience to start helping families… from anywhere.

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The Day I Had to Choose: “Get a Real Job” or Build the Life I Envisioned

In 2011, I was newly divorced, living in a townhouse, and facing the moment that so many divorced women face: do I go get a traditional job with a steady paycheck… or do I bet on myself?

I had two daughters to raise, and I was 100% their sole provider.

Sitting cross-legged on the floor of our loft with bills in one hand and dreams in the other I allowed myself to dream bigger than I had for years. I had been coaching parents for over a decade at this point, but I would need an even fuller client calendar if I wanted to stop pinching pennies at the grocery store.

That day, I chose to double down—not just on IEP coaching, but on finding freedom (time & financial).

I decided to create a business that worked around my life and my daughters, not the other way around.

One where some IEP consults happened from my kitchen table—and others from the Target parking lot in between errands. My clients didn’t mind. In fact, they loved it. Because I wasn’t just an expert—I was living the same busy, beautiful chaos they were.

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Why I’ll Never Own a Desk Again

As my calendar began to grow with more clients, I tried the whole “official office” thing. Twice.

Each time, I pictured the Instagram-worthy setup—blush-toned coffee mug, gold pens, a cute little lamp by the window. You know the vibe.

But every time, real life took over.

Instead of working from that picture-perfect desk, I was back in my backpack-office rhythm—voice-noting clients in the school pickup line, reviewing IEPs from waiting rooms, popping into trainings from the front seat of my car with a protein bar and notebook on my lap.

Eventually, I stopped fighting it.

An official home office wasn’t my thing—and that didn’t make me any less professional. It made me more me.

Once I let go of trying to build the perfect business and focused instead on showing up authentically—my calendar filled faster than ever.

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Real Life Doesn’t Always Fit in a Cubicle or a Classroom (and That’s Okay)

There have always been layers to why I chose to grow my IEP Coaching business instead of heading back to the classroom to use my Special education degrees. My youngest daughter had complex medical needs when she was younger. I won’t share her story, because it’s hers to tell—but here’s what I will say: when she needed me, I had to drop everything. No questions asked. No rescheduling meetings or explaining myself to a boss.

By building a flexible IEP Coaching business, I always had a backpack full of essentials, a phone in my hand, and a business built around flexibility and grace.

And because I worked for myself, I never had to choose between being a present mom and being a successful professional. I got to be both.

That’s the kind of flexibility I want more parents, teachers, and caregivers to have. That’s why I created the Master IEP Coach® Mentorship.

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Can You Really Build a Flexible IEP Coaching Business to Fit Your Busy Life?

Yes. And here’s how it works:

•You already have what you need—your IEP experience.

Whether you’re a parent who’s attended dozens of meetings, a teacher who’s written goal after goal, or a therapist who’s advocated for services behind the scenes—you’re already doing the work. Becoming a Master IEP Coach® simply gives you a roadmap to turn that experience into impact and income.

•You work from anywhere—and when you choose.

I’ve coached from my couch, my car, a hospital waiting room, and now—my camper van. The key is building a system that flexes with your life, not trying to fit your life into someone else’s schedule.

•You’re never alone in the journey.

The Master IEP Coach® Mentorship includes a full library of tools, templates, and trainings—but even more importantly, you’ll be supported by a community of others doing this work in their own way. No one-size-fits-all paths. Just real guidance and encouragement.

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A Flexible Day in the Life of a Master IEP Coach®

Here’s what a real day can look like (hint: no 9–5 required):

8:00 AM – Voice-note coaching for a parent with a last-minute IEP question.
10:00 AM – Review a draft IEP while sipping coffee from a local café.
12:00 PM – Outreach to Connect with Potential Clients.
2:30 PM – School pickup, Target run, reply to quick questions in between.
4:00 PM – Be Fully Present with Kids Afterschool
6:00 PM – Dinner with family. No client emergencies. No burnout.

*Between those tasks? Time to think, read, walk, and just be YOU!

You decide the pace, the location, and the structure. That’s the peacefulness of building a business around life instead of building your life around a business.

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Ready to Build Your Flexible IEP Coaching Business?

If you’ve been in the IEP world—whether as a parent, teacher, or therapist—you already have the tools.

You’ve seen what works, what doesn’t, and where families are falling through the cracks.

This is your invitation to step in, make a difference, and earn an income that fits the season you’re in.

You don’t need a perfect plan.

You just need to say yes to helping.

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Join the Master IEP Coach® Mentorship

Inside the Mentorship, you’ll receive:

• On-demand trainings to guide your journey
• Coaching support from me (Catherine Kahl, M.Ed)
• A flexible ready-to-use system so you can start helping right away
• A flexible framework that honors your schedule and values

Ready to get started?
Click here to become a Master IEP Coach®

Want a behind-the-scenes peek before you join?
Watch this video find out 3 ways to create income as a Master IEP Coach®

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Final Thoughts: Your Impact Isn’t Measured by Your Perfect Plans

You don’t need a corner office or perfect lighting to change lives.

You need your story. Your IEP experience. Your willingness to show up.

Whether you’re sitting on the floor of a tiny townhouse like I was in 2011, juggling family and faith, or sipping coffee, working on the go, like I am today—this work is for you.

Families need guides. Schools need collaboration. And you have the heart to make a difference.

So let’s pack your backpack… and begin.

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Curious About the Odds and Ends I Keep in My IEP Coaching Backpack?

Here’s what I carry on the go—no fancy setup required:

• Coffee sticks for on-the-go, no cafeteria coffee for me! – My go-to brew

• My trusted meeting journal – Great for taking quick parent consult notes and capturing next steps Grab it here

• The one special education book I never leave home without – It’s dog-eared, highlighted, and always in reach. View it here

• Highlighters that never bleed through – Perfect for marking up IEPs and highlighting the latest book I’m reading Check them out

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Want to Read More?

• 3 Ways to Turn Your IEP Experience into Income

• FAQs About Becoming a Master IEP Coach®

• Start Your Profitable IEP Coaching Blog