Hey, there! I’m Caroline, a special ed paperwork guru.

I help teachers, families, and caretakers provide the best special education IEP support.

If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by challenging behaviors, endless paperwork, IEP deadlines, and the emotional weight of wanting to do right by every student… you’re not alone. I see you. I’ve lived it.

My educational career has focused on working with individuals with all disabilities including autism, emotional disorders, specific learning disabilities, special education IEP writing and implementation, and so much more. So, you’re in the right place if…

You’re looking for advice on how to be the best support for individuals with disabilities.
You need support and new ideas for managing behavior.
You’re looking for visuals and how-to resources to help all students succeed.

JOIN THE MEMBERSHIP →

Caroline’s special education background

Education

Caroline Koehler graduated from Indiana State University with a bachelor’s of science in elementary education in 2002.

In August of 2009, she completed her masters of general education at Indiana State University.

Caroline finished her second masters in 2014 this time her focus was special education.

Caroline is proud to be trained in

TEACCH (Treatment and Education of Autistic and Communication related handicapped CHildren
PECS (Picture Exchange Communication System)
STAR (Strategies for Teaching Based on Autism Research) as a trained teacher.

Experience

Caroline began her career teaching kindergarten — five years in Wisconsin and two years in Indiana — focusing on reading, writing, and math. She then served as an in-home developmental therapist in Indiana’s First Steps program, supporting infants and toddlers with disabilities.

Later, she taught in a self-contained, community-based classroom for students with autism for four years, followed by work as a special education inclusion teacher for elementary and middle school students with multiple disabilities.

Today she creates practical resources full-time and provides targeted educational consultation to both private and public schools. Her consultation work focuses on school-wide and classroom behavior management alignment so teams can support every learner more consistently and effectively.

Her Passion & Approach

For Caroline, the foundation of all learning starts with behavior. She helps students (and the adults who support them) identify needs, regulate emotions, and use their strengths to become confident, contributing members of their communities.

Visual supports have always been one of her favorite tools — they bridge gaps and are loved by students, teachers, and families alike. Everything she creates comes from honesty, respect, deep listening, and an open heart. She believes every child deserves to know they are different… and that’s okay — in fact, it’s something beautiful to celebrate.

Through her work, Caroline has supported more than 71,000+ educators across 85 countries with tools that simplify behavior documentation, reduce burnout, and help students make meaningful progress.

She founded SPED Up Paperwork with the mission of Empowering Educators, Transforming Documentation. Whether educators join the membership, use resources from her store (over 300 and counting!), or partner with her for school consultation, Caroline’s goal is to help them feel capable, supported, and hopeful again.

When she’s not creating resources or consulting with schools, Caroline can be found sipping hot chocolate or tea, gardening, caring for her barnyard animals, and advocating for classrooms where every kind of “different” is welcomed and valued.

Let’s make special education feel lighter and more joyful — together.