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.
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309 episodes
Aug 3, 2026
Why Good Teachers Are Leaving the Profession
In this episode, I begin an important new series by asking a difficult question: why are so many good teachers leaving the profession? I want this conversation to…
Aug 2, 2026
A New School Year, A New Chapter
In this episode, I celebrate two beginnings at once: another school year and episode 300 of the Be a Funky Teacher podcast. When I recorded my first episode,…
Jul 27, 2026
Summer Check-In 4: Gratitude for Family and Looking Ahead
In this episode, I reflect on how quickly summer has passed and the importance of slowing down to appreciate the people who matter most. As my family prepares…
Jul 20, 2026
Summer Check-In 3: Learning Never Stops
In this episode, I reflect on one of the beliefs that has shaped my entire career: learning never stops. As I prepare to travel to Lincoln to help…
Jul 13, 2026
Summer Check-In 2: Celebrating Milestones and Making Memories
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…
Jul 6, 2026
Summer Check-In 1: The Power of Shared Experiences
In this episode, I begin a new series of weekly summer check-ins by reflecting on a family canoe trip through the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness in northern…
Jul 3, 2026
What’s Next for Be a Funky Teacher?
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…
Jul 2, 2026
What Happens When You Take a Leap of Faith?
In this episode, I reflect on what happened when I took one of the biggest leaps of faith in my teaching career. After spending 22 years in South…
Jul 1, 2026
The BAGO Mic Student Podcast: How Student Voice Changed My Teaching
In this episode, I reflect on one of the most meaningful projects of my teaching career—the BAGO Mic Student Podcast. What began as an experiment to help students…
Jun 30, 2026
Looking Back on My First Year at Winnebago: What I Learned
In this episode, I reflect on my first year at Winnebago Public Schools after spending 22 years in South Sioux City. Starting over wasn't easy, but looking back,…
Jun 29, 2026
What I’m Taking Back from the PLC at Work Institute in Las Vegas
In this episode, I take a step back after the PLC at Work Institute in Las Vegas to reflect on what I'm actually bringing home with me. Attending…
Jun 28, 2026
Sunday School for Teachers: Bloom Where You’re Planted
In this episode, I look at Joseph's story through the lens of faithfulness instead of focusing on injustice or forgiveness. I'm reminded that no matter where Joseph found…