HerStory Podcast Episode 12: Raising Hearts and Minds

"I find that teaching is a parental role. You're almost like a second parent…some kids needed more mother and some kids needed more father…It was an extension of my parenting, my mothering instinct for my own children came into the classroom."

In this episode of the HerStory Podcast, host Adia Lancaster sits down with Elizabeth Deshotel, an accomplished educator, administrator, and devoted mother and grandmother, to explore her inspiring journey of faith, family, and leadership. Elizabeth shares her early life growing up in a Roman Catholic family and her search for meaning as a young adult, culminating in a profound spiritual experience at the age of 22 that transformed her life. She reflects on how this encounter with God shaped her personal path, leading her to embrace parenting, education, and service to others as central elements of her life mission.

Elizabeth dives into her professional journey, discussing her long career as a teacher and principal, where she combined her mothering instincts with educational expertise to nurture students both academically and emotionally. She emphasizes the importance of creating a supportive classroom environment, respecting boundaries, and investing in each child individually. Elizabeth also shares her perspective on feminine leadership, explaining how empathy, compassion, and collaboration with men in professional settings have been essential in her roles. Her approach highlights the balance between care and firmness, as well as the significance of grounding her work in faith and a sense of higher purpose.

Beyond her professional life, Elizabeth reflects on the joys and challenges of raising five children and now guiding seven grandchildren, describing grandparenting as a “whole other world” filled with love and fulfillment. She offers heartfelt advice to young women today, encouraging them to seek God’s guidance in life decisions, including the choice to become a parent, and to recognize the profound joy that can come from nurturing others. Elizabeth’s story underscores the transformative power of faith, intuition, and living a life rooted in love, service, and God-centered purpose, offering listeners both inspiration and practical wisdom for their own journeys.

Learn more about New Hope School here: ​​www.newhopeschoolnj.com

Learn more about the Bridgeport Hope School here: www.bridgeporthopeschool.org