Building a School That Changes Lives with Matt DeHart | E244

In this powerful leadership episode, host Ryan Steuer sits down with Matt DeHart, founder of Teach from DeHart Academy and Teach from DeHart Foundation, to explore what it looks like to build a school model that transforms both students and families. Matt shares how his personal “why” is rooted in generations of educators, how travel and real-world experiences elevate academics, and how his two-generation school model is revitalizing a Pennsylvania community.

🧭 Key Topics & Takeaways

1. The Power of Purpose

• Matt’s why comes from his family legacy of service and sacrifice.
  
  
• “I want to plant as many trees as possible that I’ll never see the fruit of.”
  
  

2. Real-World Experiences Drive Real Learning

• Students who had never been downtown—or on a plane—learned life skills through travel and exposure.
  
  
• Simple experiences like ordering at a restaurant became lessons in communication, math, and confidence.
  
  
• Integrating life skills with academics led to dramatic academic growth in his classroom.
  
  

3. Blending Soft Skills and Academics

• Students learned to write checks, tip properly, analyze speeches, and eliminate multiple choice tests.
  
  
• Confidence grew from real success, not false praise.
  
  
• “We built a culture where students wanted to ‘lock in’ and speak like leaders.”
  
  

4. The Two-Generation Model

• At Teach from DeHart Academy, both students and parents learn.
  
  
• Parents can earn GEDs, attend financial planning classes, and grow alongside their children.
  
  
• Families graduate together—literally walking the stage side-by-side.
  
  
• “Educate the student, educate the parent, revitalize the community.”
  
  

5. Building Community Partnerships

• Matt built trust by showing up: town halls, clean-ups, home visits, and local events.
  
  
• Authentic relationships with city leaders and families fueled the school’s success.
  
  
• “Be present. Listen first. People follow consistency.”
  
  

6. Leading and Funding the Dream

• Teach from DeHart Academy opened debt-free through grassroots fundraising and persistence.
  
  
• Matt worked multiple jobs to keep the vision alive.
  
  
• Fundraising tip: “Don’t just share what you’re going to do—show what you’ve already do