We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Edward Deshazer a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Edward, thanks for joining us today. What was one of the most important lessons you learned in school? Why did that lesson stick with you?

The biggest lesson I learned in school is that the structures of school often struggle with a student’s super powers. Schools are structured to get students to comply and sit in rows. I was a student who needed to move around to be engaged. My report card often said, “he talks too much” and “he can’t sit still.” Those were actually my super powers. Those two statements have what have allowed me to be successful as a professional speaker, a business owner, and an educational leader. I learned that systems and structures may shun your gift. Don’t be discouraged when that happens, just continue to harness your gift.

Edward, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

When it comes to speaking to teachers and educators across the country, I was the student they struggled with. I was expelled from school three different times. I was a special education student. Now I am an award winning educational leader. What I am most proud of is that I am true to who I am. When I speak, I am authentic and I am vulnerable with sharing my struggles. This is why teachers, educators, and students resonate with my story because I was not a great student. I was the hardest to reach student in the classroom.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

My whole life has been defined by overcoming obstacles. I was a special education student from 3rd grade on. I was suspended from school 30-40 times as a student. I was expelled from middle school twice. I was expelled as a freshman in high school. I ended up coming across a group of educators in high school that really believed in me and supported me for who I could become and not who I currently was in that moment. Through all this, now I am an award winning educational leader and I travel the country speaking at schools and conferences on the power of relationships. I checked all the boxes of a student who would end up dead or in jail and I was able to defy the odds with a strong support system and personal accountability.

Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?

When I was finishing college, I was an All-American in football. I had signed an agent who had moved me to Indianapolis to train for the NFL. I lived there for two months and did nothing but train. I eventually worked out for the New York Jets and the Miami Dolphins. About a few weeks after that I blew out me knee (tore my ACL, MCL, and meniscus) which ultimately stopped those dreams. Three weeks after that, someone tried to break into my house and they shot me. This led to me moving back to Milwaukee and becoming a gym teacher. I had no plans on being a gym teacher or working with children. 17 years later, I have been the Executive Director of the same school now for 6 years. I just led us through a $5m relocation and building renovation project.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.teachersed.org
• Instagram: @edwarddeshazer
• Facebook: @edwarddeshazer
• Linkedin: @edwarddeshazer
• Twitter: @edwarddeshazer
• Youtube: @edwarddeshazer

Image Credits
Christopher Haase Media