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
Feb 4, 2026
Why Connection Is Not a Soft Skill
Too often, connection gets labeled as a soft skill, something extra that comes after the real academic work. In this episode, I challenge that assumption and argue that…
Feb 3, 2026
Kids Who Push Back Need Us Most
Pushback in the classroom can feel personal, especially when it happens publicly. In this episode, I unpack why the instinct to tighten control isn’t always the most effective…
Feb 2, 2026
Seeing the Child Before the Behavior
Behavior shows up in every classroom, but what matters most is the child underneath it. In this episode, I slow the conversation down and explore why behavior is…
Jan 30, 2026
When Culture Breaks, Learning Stops
I explore why classroom culture is the emotional foundation that makes learning possible. When trust erodes, when students no longer feel safe or seen, even the strongest lessons…
Jan 29, 2026
Trust Is the Real Curriculum
In this episode, I unpack a truth that took me years to fully understand: you can have strong standards, engaging lessons, and well-designed curriculum, but without trust, it…
Jan 28, 2026
Relationships Over Rules
Rules matter in my classroom. Structure matters. Consistency matters. But I have learned that rules without relationships only create compliance, not connection. In this episode, I unpack why…
Jan 27, 2026
Safety Before Standards
In this episode, I talk about something that can feel almost rebellious in education but shouldn’t: safety has to come before standards. I make it clear that standards,…
Jan 26, 2026
Belonging Comes First
In this episode, I talk about something that sits underneath every lesson plan, every standard, and every behavior conversation: belonging. I say clearly that belonging is not a…
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 22, 2026
Why Vulnerability Matters with Kids
In this episode, I talk honestly about why vulnerability matters with kids and why it is so often misunderstood in schools. I name the tension many educators feel…
Jan 21, 2026
The Emotional Weight Teachers Carry
Teaching is emotional work, and I wanted to slow this episode down enough to name that honestly. The weight teachers carry does not show up in pacing guides,…
Jan 20, 2026
When You’re Tired but Still Show Up
In this episode, I name something that does not get said enough in education. Many teachers are not burned out. They are just tired. I explore the difference…