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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54 episodes
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 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 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,…
Feb 27, 2026
Choosing Longevity Over Martyrdom
In this episode, I challenge the quiet narrative in education that exhaustion equals commitment. Martyr culture is subtle. It rewards staying late, saying yes, and absorbing everything. But…
Feb 26, 2026
Staying Soft in a Hard System
In this episode, I explore how educators can stay soft in a system that often feels hard. Education holds sacred moments of connection and breakthrough, yet it also…
Feb 25, 2026
Boundaries Are an Act of Leadership
In this episode, I unpack why boundaries are not defensive — they are directional. For years, I viewed boundaries as protection of time and energy. But I have…
Feb 24, 2026
You Can Care Without Carrying Everything
In this episode, I explore the critical distinction between caring and carrying. Teaching attracts people who care deeply — about students, growth, fairness, and outcomes. But over time,…
Feb 23, 2026
Protecting Your Energy
In this episode, I explore why protecting your energy may be one of the most important leadership habits teachers can develop. Educators are trained to give — instruction,…