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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49 episodes
Nov 6, 2025
Before The Testimony: The Power Of Using Your Teacher Voice
In this episode, I share a moment of advocacy just before stepping beyond the classroom. As Mr. Funky Teacher, Nicholas Kleve, I record from my car outside the…
Oct 29, 2025
Building A Strong Collaborative Team: Creating Trust, Clarity, And Purpose At The Grade Level
In this episode, I focus on what it truly means to build a strong collaborative team at the grade level. As Mr. Funky Teacher, Nicholas Kleve, I share…
Oct 28, 2025
How to Address a Mistake You Made with a Collaborative Team
In this episode, I reflect on what it really means to address a mistake I’ve made within a collaborative team. I explore why the hardest part of a…
Oct 8, 2025
The Bad Apple Effect: How One Negative Voice Can Impact A Whole Team
In this episode, I explore the Bad Apple Effect and how one negative voice can impact an entire team. As Mr. Funky Teacher, Nicholas Kleve, I share why…
Sep 23, 2025
Teacher Leader Do’s And Don’ts Leading Without Losing Your Funk
I share what it means to lead as a teacher leader without losing your personality, joy, and authenticity. In this episode, I break down teacher leader do's and…
Sep 22, 2025
Redefining Teacher Leadership: It’s More Than Being In Charge
In this episode, I, Mr. Funky Teacher, Nicholas Kleve, focus on redefining teacher leadership and why it is so much more than being in charge. I share that…
Sep 9, 2025
The Power Of Starting Over: New District, New Systems, Same Heart
In this episode, I reflect on the power of starting over as Mr. Funky Teacher, Nicholas Kleve, sharing what it has meant to begin again in a new…
Aug 26, 2025
Classroom Systems And Procedures: Building Success Through Structure
In this episode, I focus on classroom systems and procedures and how structure builds success. As Mr. Funky Teacher, Nicholas Kleve, I share why clear systems are essential…
Aug 21, 2025
Teacher Collaboration: Building Strong Teams Through Collaborative Meetings
In this episode, I focus on the power of teacher collaboration and how strong teams are built through purposeful collaborative meetings. As Mr. Funky Teacher, Nicholas Kleve, I…
Jul 18, 2025
The Importance of Teacher Involvement at State Level
I recorded this episode from Lincoln, Nebraska, where I spent the week writing state assessment items for the Nebraska writing assessment. This work reminded me how important it…
Jul 10, 2025
Reflections from the National Teacher Leadership Conference: A Day with Mr. Funky Teacher (National Teacher Leadership Conference Day 3)
In this episode, I, Mr. Funky Teacher, Nicholas Kleve, reflect on Day 3 of the National Teacher Leadership Conference 2025: Ignite the Magic in Orlando, Florida. I share…
Jul 9, 2025
Embracing The Funk: The Transformative Power of a Creative Teacher (National Teacher Leadership Conference Day 2)
On this episode, I, Mr. Funky Teacher, Nicholas Kleve, share my reflections from Day 2 of the National Teacher Leadership Conference in Orlando. I talk about waking up…