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
Mar 12, 2026
The Ripple Effect of Being Human
In this episode, I build on the idea of teacher impact by focusing on something we often don’t fully recognize in the moment—the ripple effect. Teaching is not…
Mar 11, 2026
Growth You Can’t Measure
In this episode, I explore the idea that not all student growth can be measured. While schools often focus on data like test scores, benchmarks, and grades, some…
Mar 10, 2026
When Students Feel Seen
In this episode, I take a closer look at one of the most powerful ways teachers make a difference—helping students feel seen. While teaching often focuses on academics,…
Mar 9, 2026
The Difference a Teacher Can Make
In this episode, I explore the real difference a teacher can make in the lives of students. While academic outcomes like test scores and grades matter, some of…
Mar 8, 2026
Sunday School for Teachers: The Vine — Staying Connected
In this Sunday School for Teachers episode, I reflect on Jesus’ teaching in John 15 about the vine and the branches. This powerful image reminds believers that life…
Mar 7, 2026
Saturday Stories — Leadership Kit: Spread Joy and Happiness — It Started at One Table
In this Saturday Stories episode from the Leadership Kit, I share a classroom story called It Started at One Table. The story illustrates how positive energy and encouragement…
Mar 6, 2026
When Meaning Carries You Forward
In this episode, I explore how meaning carries teachers forward through the ordinary rhythms of education. While great days in the classroom are energizing, most of the work…
Mar 5, 2026
When Teaching Feels Sacred Again
In this episode, I explore the moments in teaching that feel sacred again. Many days in education can feel routine and mechanical, filled with transitions, behavior redirection, and…
Mar 5, 2026
Freedom to Teach: Honoring Where You Teach
In this episode of the Freedom to Teach series, I reflect on attending the Bare Moon Powwow with the Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska. The experience reminded me that…
Mar 4, 2026
Remembering Your Why Without the Cliché
In this episode, I take a fresh look at the phrase “remember your why.” Over time, it has become a slogan in education — repeated so often that…
Mar 3, 2026
The Magic That Still Shows Up
In this episode, I reflect on the quiet moments in classrooms that feel almost magical. Education often moves through routines, transitions, and procedures. But inside those ordinary moments,…
Mar 1, 2026
Sunday School for Teachers: Moses and the Burning Bush – When You Feel Unqualified
In this Sunday School for Teachers episode, I reflect on the story of Moses and the burning bush from Exodus 2–4. Moses was not confident or polished when…