Episode #1
WHAT WE DON’T SEE: Awareness, Regulation, and the Educator Within
Awareness, the Unseen Struggle, and the Space Before We React with Dr. Scott Cohen What if the behavior we see is only part of the story? In this episode of The Ripple Effect: Helping Teachers Thrive , Aimée Donoho is joined by Dr. Scott Cohen , a physician who spent more than three decades caring for children and families and whose work now focuses on ADHD and lifestyle health. Together, they explore Awareness from both sides of the classroom: what may be happening beneath a student's behavior—and what may be happening within the educator who is responding to it. Scott shares how challenging behavior can sometimes reflect an unsolved problem a young person may not yet understand or know how to communicate. The conversation then turns toward the educator: What happens to our patience, attention, and ability to remain curious when we are tired, hungry, stressed, or overwhelmed? Aimée and Scott explore the space between reaction and response , along with the often-overlooked roles of sleep, nourishment, movement, and restorative practices in educator well-being. This isn't about asking teachers to diagnose their students—or giving educators another wellness checklist. It's an invitation to notice : what is happening within us, what we may not see in someone else, and what becomes possible when we create just a little more space before we respond. And the conversation closes with a question at the heart of The Ripple Effect : Who was the teacher who made you feel seen? About Dr. Scott Cohen Dr. Scott Cohen is a physician with more than three decades of experience in pediatrics. His current work focuses on ADHD and lifestyle health, supporting children, teens, and families through everyday foundations of well-being—including nutrition, restorative sleep, physical activity, meditation, and other lifestyle practices. In your conversation, he describes his current work as coaching families of children and teenagers with ADHD. For teachers who are also parents , Scott's work may offer additional resources for understanding and supporting children and teens with ADHD. Learn more about Dr. Cohen and his work: Lifestyle Health Consultants Continue the Reflection Visit The Ripple Effect for episode resources and the accompanying Professional Development Reflection Guide: The Ripple Effect: Helping Teachers Thrive The way we care for ourselves creates ripples far beyond us. Connect with Us Website: www.therippleeffect.io Instagram: @rippleeffect.teachers Facebook: The Ripple Effect Podcast Linktree: linktr.ee/rippleeffect.teachers ⚠️ Disclaimer The content shared on The Ripple Effect: Helping Teachers Thrive is for educational and informational purposes only. It is not intended as a substitute for therapy, counseling, medical advice, or mental health treatment. If you or someone you know is in crisis, please contact a licensed mental health professional or call 911 immediately. Always seek the guidance of a qualified provider with any questions you may have regarding your mental or emotional health.
