E20910

Expelled 3 Times, Now a School Leader: The Believement Gap

From 10 Minute Teacher Podcast with Cool Cat Teacher · Hosted by Vicki Davis

Sep 28, 2026·15:40

Episode summary

In this episode of 10 Minute Teacher Podcast with Cool Cat Teacher: Teacher expectations shape what students believe they can do. Edward DeShazer was suspended more than 30 times and expelled three times. Today he leads a school that went from one star to four stars in six years.

Original publisher description

Teacher expectations shape what students believe they can do. Edward DeShazer was suspended more than 30 times and expelled three times. Today he leads a school that went from one star to four stars in six years. On this Motivational Monday, Edward explains the "believement gap": the distance between what a student believes about himself and what he can actually do. He shares the teacher who changed his path, and what his school does to help teachers and students feel like they belong. In this episode, you'll learn: What the believement gap is and how teacher expectations shape student success Why culture comes first and achievement follows: coffee every morning, a staff workout room, and Walking Wednesdays How relationships trickle down from school leaders to teachers to students "One Has Got to Go," a two-minute turn-and-talk for the end of class Why students (and teachers) need to feel both safe and seen Edward DeShazer is Executive Director of Greater Holy Temple Christian Academy in Milwaukee, a keynote speaker, and the author of Closing the Believe'ment Gap. Full show notes, resources, and the complete transcript: https://www.coolcatteacher.com/e996 If this show helps you, would you take 30 seconds to rate and review the 10 Minute Teacher Podcast? It helps other teachers find it.