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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60 episodes
Jan 23, 2026
You’re Allowed to Feel This
In this episode, I slow down and name something many teachers feel but rarely say out loud. Midyear fatigue is real, and being tired, overwhelmed, frustrated, or even…
Jan 19, 2026
Teaching While Human
In this episode, I reflect on what it truly means to teach while being human instead of pretending I can leave my life at the door. I talk…
Jan 16, 2026
The Teacher I’m Still Becoming
In this episode, I reflect on what it truly means to keep becoming as a teacher instead of trying to arrive at some final, polished version of myself.…
Jan 14, 2026
Why I Refuse to Teach on Autopilot
Teaching on autopilot can feel efficient, especially during busy or overwhelming seasons, but over time it creates distance between teachers and students. In this episode, I reflect on…
Jan 13, 2026
Teaching with Heart in a Compliance World
Teaching often exists in a constant tension between what systems demand and what students actually need. This episode reflects on the challenge of balancing compliance with connection and…
Jan 9, 2026
School Is the Safest Place for Some Kids — And Breaks Complicate That
In this episode, I talk about a truth many educators feel but don’t always say out loud: for some kids, school is the safest place they have. It’s…
Jan 7, 2026
When Teaching Doesn’t Go As Planned: Why Adaptability Is One of a Teacher’s Greatest Strengths
Teaching rarely unfolds exactly as planned, and I explore why adaptability is one of the most important skills educators can model. I reflect on how unexpected challenges test…
Jan 5, 2026
Coming Back After the Break: The Emotional Side of Teaching Nobody Warns You About
Coming back after a long break brings a mix of excitement, heaviness, gratitude, and anxiety that I know many teachers experience but rarely talk about. Returning to school…
Dec 20, 2025
A Pause Before Winter Break: Gratitude, Reflection, And Taking Care Of What Matters
This special message pauses the usual podcast rhythm to reflect on the end of the first semester and the weight educators carry into winter break. As Mr. Funky…
Dec 17, 2025
The Weight Teachers Carry: Fear, Safety, And Showing Up In A World Of School Shootings
This episode addresses a heavy but necessary truth in education: the fear and responsibility teachers carry in a world shaped by school violence. As Mr. Funky Teacher, Nicholas…
Dec 16, 2025
You Don’t Have To Fix Everything To Make A Difference
I share a grounding reminder in this episode that as Mr. Funky Teacher, Nicholas Kleve, I believe deeply matters for educators: you are not failing just because you…
Dec 4, 2025
The Myth of the ‘Bad Kid’: What Adults Often Miss
This episode explores the myth of the “bad kid” and the deeper truth behind student behavior. As Mr. Funky Teacher, Nicholas Kleve, I reflect on how children who…