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
Dec 1, 2025
The Power Of A Fresh Start: Why Monday Doesn’t Define The Week
This episode focuses on the power of a fresh start and the reminder that Mondays do not define the week. As Mr. Funky Teacher, Nicholas Kleve, I reflect…
Nov 27, 2025
Teachers Need Grace Too: Permission To Be Human
This episode speaks directly to the heart of teaching rather than the head. As Mr. Funky Teacher, Nicholas Kleve, I reflect on why educators need grace just as…
Nov 25, 2025
Start Where They Are, Not Where You Wish They Were
This episode centers on a truth that shapes real teaching and real learning. As Mr. Funky Teacher, Nicholas Kleve, I reflect on why students must be met where…
Nov 24, 2025
Say Yes More: Why Kids Need Chances, Not Gatekeepers
This episode focuses on a belief that has shaped my teaching and leadership. As Mr. Funky Teacher, Nicholas Kleve, I reflect on why kids thrive when educators choose…
Nov 21, 2025
Stop Shrinking to Make Other People Comfortable
This episode centers on a personal and necessary truth I have lived and witnessed in schools. As Mr. Funky Teacher, Nicholas Kleve, I reflect on the moments when…
Nov 20, 2025
Don’t Take Advice From People Who’ve Never Done What You Want To Do
This episode centers on a powerful reminder I believe every educator needs to hear. As Mr. Funky Teacher, Nicholas Kleve, I reflect on why taking advice from people…
Nov 18, 2025
Untapped Why Teachers Need Opportunities To Shine
In this episode, I explore what happens when teachers are never given real opportunities to step into leadership and use their gifts. As Mr. Funky Teacher, Nicholas Kleve,…
Nov 17, 2025
When Kids Come To School Carrying Heavy Things
In this episode, I share a powerful reminder that students come to school carrying far more than backpacks. As Mr. Funky Teacher, Nicholas Kleve, I reflect on the…
Nov 13, 2025
When Teachers Stop Caring: The Quiet Danger of Apathy
In this episode, I talk about a side of teaching we don’t always name out loud: apathy. While burnout gets attention, apathy is quieter and more dangerous because…
Nov 12, 2025
The Myth Of Doing It All: Why Teachers Need To Let Go Of Perfection
In this episode, I reflect on the myth of doing it all and why perfectionism has quietly become one of the most damaging expectations placed on teachers. As…
Nov 10, 2025
Breaking The Assembly Line: Why Schools Must Create Thinkers, Not Workers
In this episode, I reflect on a quote that stopped me in my tracks about schools being designed to produce workers instead of thinkers. As Mr. Funky Teacher,…
Oct 27, 2025
Finding Focus in the Fall Frenzy: Keeping Calm When Everything’s Competing for Attention
In this episode, I reflect on what it means to find focus during the fall frenzy, a time of year when schools are full of excitement, exhaustion, and…