Be A Funky Teacher Podcast
Real conversations for educators who care deeply about the work.
Classroom stories, practical ideas, teacher well-being, leadership, student voice, and honest reflection from Mr. Funky Teacher, Nicholas Kleve.
Podcast Media Library
Search the archive, browse by topic or series, and open an episode to listen or explore the ideas that matter to you.
Browse by topic
Browse by series
309 episodes
Apr 5, 2026
Sunday School for Teachers — Seeing the One in the Tree
This Sunday School for Teachers episode centers on the story of Zacchaeus and the powerful idea of being truly seen. It reflects on how Jesus noticed one individual…
Apr 4, 2026
Saturday Stories — Leadership Kit: Work Hard — After the Bell
This Saturday Stories episode introduces a Leadership Kit story centered on the value of effort and the skill of working hard. Through a simple classroom moment, students see…
Apr 3, 2026
Slowing Down the Noise
This episode focuses on the growing sense of overload teachers are experiencing with constant new ideas, tools, and expectations. While many of these ideas are valuable, the volume…
Apr 2, 2026
Fear Is a Bad Curriculum
This episode focuses on how fear is quietly influencing decisions in education right now. With increasing pressure, urgency, and expectations, it can become easy for teachers to react…
Apr 1, 2026
Schools Have Always Changed—This Isn’t New
This episode explores the idea that while AI and new tools feel like a major shift in education, change itself is not new. It reframes the current moment…
Mar 31, 2026
A Funky Teacher Milestone: Episode 200 — This Was Never Just a Podcast
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…
Mar 31, 2026
Why This Conversation About AI Matters for Teachers
In this episode, I explore why the conversation around AI in education feels different and why it matters right now for teachers. This is not just another passing…
Mar 29, 2026
Sunday School for Teachers: The Widow’s Mite — Small Acts Still Matter
In this episode, I share a Sunday School for Teachers reflection centered on the story of the widow’s offering. It’s a reminder that what may seem small on…
Mar 28, 2026
Saturday Stories — Leadership Kit: Think About Options and Consequences — Before You Send It
In this episode, I continue the Saturday Stories Leadership Kit with a focus on decision making—specifically thinking about options and consequences before acting. Through a short story, students…
Mar 27, 2026
A Letter to a Funky Teacher
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…
Mar 26, 2026
What Becoming Funky Actually Means
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…
Mar 25, 2026
The Tension
In this episode, I explore a part of teaching that often goes unspoken—the tension. It is the feeling of being pulled in different directions, trying to do what…