A painful childhood memory of public humiliation over a misspelled Christmas card becomes the unexpected catalyst for a lifelong mission to transform education. Dean Cotton, CEO of Behaviour Smart, takes us on his remarkable journey from a struggling student labeled "stupid" to becoming a pioneering behavior specialist whose methods have achieved a 95% reduction in school behavior incidents.

Dean's story unfolds with disarming honesty as he shares how being misunderstood throughout his school years gave him unique insight into the challenges faced by children whose behavior is often misinterpreted. From his first entrepreneurial venture as a window cleaner ("We rub a little harder!") to his stint as a lorry driver, Dean's path took an unexpected turn when a routine package delivery to a school changed everything. One supportive headteacher, Malcolm Stein, recognised something special in Dean and created an opportunity that would reveal his natural gift for working with children.

This deeply personal narrative illuminates how our greatest wounds can become our greatest strengths. After specialized training, years of classroom experience, and pursuing a master's degree focused on behavior management, Dean developed a comprehensive understanding of the root causes of challenging behaviors. By combining research with practical application, he created Behaviour Smart – not just an incident recording system, but a transformative approach that helps educators truly understand and address the underlying factors driving student behavior. Whether you're an educator, carer, parent, or someone who connects with the experience of being misunderstood, Dean's story reminds us that sometimes our most painful experiences become the foundation for our most meaningful work. Don't miss the next episode, where Dean will delve deeper into how Behaviour Smart was developed and continues to evolve.

https://www.behavioursmart.co.uk