Episode Summary In this episode, I begin week two of the series by talking honestly about something many veteran educators have noticed: student behavior has changed. I’m not saying kids today are worse, but after 24 years in classrooms, I’ve seen changes in emotional regulation, frustration tolerance, attention, peer conflict, technology use, and the intensity
Student Behavior Has Changed Read More »
Episode Summary In this episode, I reflect on how quickly life moves and why milestones give us an important opportunity to pause. This summer, Kristine and I celebrated our 20th wedding anniversary while our daughter Mya traveled to Washington, D.C., to present a children’s book project at a national conference. I share how moments like
Summer Check-In 2: Celebrating Milestones and Making Memories Read More »
Episode Summary In this episode, I pause to reflect on how far Be a Funky Teacher has come and where this journey is headed next. What began a little over a year ago on my way to the National Teacher Leadership Conference has grown into nearly 300 episodes centered on teaching, leadership, relationships, humanity, student
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Episode Summary This milestone Episode 200 reflects on a journey that was never just about recording podcast episodes. It reveals the intentional work behind the last 10–11 weeks and how each episode was part of building something much bigger. Behind the scenes, there was a deeper purpose—each week built around themes, each day connected, all
A Funky Teacher Milestone: Episode 200 — This Was Never Just a Podcast Read More »
Episode Summary In this episode, I step away from strategies and frameworks to share something more personal—a letter to teachers. After weeks of reflection, this moment is about speaking directly to the heart of the work and the people doing it. Teaching can feel heavy at times. There are moments of doubt, reflection, and questioning
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Episode Summary In this episode, I take a step back to unpack what the phrase “funky teacher” actually means. After weeks of exploring identity, relationships, and purpose, this idea has continued to surface—and it deserves a deeper look beyond surface-level assumptions. Being a funky teacher is not about personality, energy, or standing out for attention.
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Episode Summary In this episode, I focus on what it truly means to stay a “funky teacher” when teaching gets difficult. It is easy to show up with energy and positivity when things are going well, but the real test comes on the hard days—when energy is low, behavior is challenging, and doubt begins to
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Episode Summary In this episode, I explore what it really means to become a “funky teacher.” It is not about being flashy or having a certain personality. Instead, it is about teaching with heart, building relationships, and creating classrooms where students feel safe, respected, and inspired to grow. Becoming this kind of teacher does not
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Episode Summary In this episode, I unpack something that many educators feel but don’t always say out loud: a quiet classroom is not automatically an engaged classroom. Students who are sitting still and following directions may be compliant, but that does not mean they are invested. Compliance is external. Engagement is internal. And when we
Compliance Is Not Engagement Read More »
Episode Summary High expectations and grace are often treated like opposites, but they are meant to work together. In this episode, I unpack the tension teachers feel between holding the line and holding the child, and why the most effective classrooms refuse to choose one over the other. Grace does not lower the bar. Instead,
Holding High Expectations with Grace Read More »