Be A Funky Teacher Podcast

Episode Summary In this episode, I focus on grace over guilt and why letting go and leading with compassion matters so deeply in teaching. As Mr. Funky Teacher, Nicholas Kleve, I talk honestly about how guilt can creep into our work and how choosing grace helps us remain grounded and human. I share gratitude for a quiet hug from my wife, praying with my son before bed, and finally resolving a less...

Episode Summary In this episode, I talk about homecoming week and why teachers joining in the fun and showing school spirit truly matters. As Mr. Funky Teacher, Nicholas Kleve, I share how participation helps build connection, belonging, and positive school culture that supports learning all year long. I share gratitude for the changing colors of autumn, watching my two oldest children prepare for...

Episode Summary In this episode, I focus on mental self-care for teachers and why clarity, focus, and protecting your mindset matter in a profession filled with constant decision-making. As Mr. Funky Teacher, Nicholas Kleve, I talk about how mental clutter builds and how caring for our mindset helps teaching feel more sustainable. I share gratitude for watching my son play football, for comforting...

Episode Summary In this episode, I focus on practical self care for teachers and how simplifying routines and protecting your time can make everyday teaching feel lighter. As Mr. Funky Teacher, Nicholas Kleve, I reflect on how small systems and intentional choices can reduce stress and decision fatigue in a demanding profession. I share personal gratitude for watching my daughter enjoy her Powderp...

Episode Summary In this episode, I focus on spiritual self care for teachers and how purpose, reflection, and grounding practices can help us stay steady. As Mr. Funky Teacher, Nicholas Kleve, I share how spiritual self care connects us to something bigger than ourselves and gives us a foundation when the day-to-day feels heavy. I share personal gratitude for time together with my family, conversa...

Episode Summary In this episode, I focus on social self care for teachers and why connection, community, and healthy boundaries matter so much in a people-centered profession. As Mr. Funky Teacher, Nicholas Kleve, I reflect on how teaching requires constant interaction and why not all relationships replenish us in the same way. I share personal gratitude for playful practical jokes, crisp early co...

Episode Summary In this episode, I focus on emotional self care for teachers and why resilience and stress relief are essential for sustaining ourselves in the classroom. Teaching is deeply emotional work, and I talk honestly about the joy, frustration, grief, compassion, and stress that educators carry every single day. I emphasize the importance of acknowledging emotions instead of suppressing t...

Episode Summary In this episode, I focus on physical self care for teacher energy, rest, and resetting the body, and why taking care of our physical health is foundational to sustaining ourselves in this profession. I share how sleep, movement, nutrition, and small daily resets directly impact how we show up for students and how we feel throughout the school day as educators. I reflect on personal...

Episode Summary In this episode, I focus on teacher self care strategies to recharge and avoid burnout, because self care looks different for every teacher and there isn’t one right way to do it. As Mr. Funky Teacher, Nicholas Kleve, I want teachers to feel permission to find what truly fills their battery, whether that’s quiet time, adventure, or small daily resets that prevent burnout before it...

Episode Summary 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 don'ts across how you carry yourself, how you work with others, how you make decisions, how you sustain yourself, and how you keep your funk. I want teachers to feel confident leading with impact while staying grounded and r...

Episode Summary 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 real leadership is not about titles or control, but about how teachers show up, take ownership, and influence the culture around them. I begin by sharing three things I’m thankful for: spending meaningful time helping my dad wit...

Episode Summary In this episode, I, Mr. Funky Teacher, Nicholas Kleve, focus on what it means to be the storm—finding strength when teaching gets tough. I talk about how storms in teaching are normal, and how strong teachers aren’t the ones who prevent storms, but the ones who stay steady through them. I start by sharing three things I’m thankful for: administrator support, copy machines that work...

Episode Summary In this episode, I, Mr. Funky Teacher, Nicholas Kleve, focus on advocating for kids when adults belittle, humiliate, or make fun of students. I talk about why this matters so deeply, because students may not remember every lesson, but they do remember how adults made them feel. I start by sharing three things I’m thankful for: an extra hour of sleep that helped me reset, my brother...

Episode Summary In this episode, I, Mr. Funky Teacher, Nicholas Kleve, talk about how to regain control of your classroom without losing relationships. I share what it feels like when the class energy shifts, things get loud, and you realize you’ve lost the room, and I walk through how to bring students back without damaging trust. I begin by sharing three things I’m thankful for: my cozy football...

Episode Summary As Mr. Funky Teacher, Nicholas Kleve, I walk through how to structure a group behavior meeting with parents and staff in a way that lowers tension and builds teamwork. I share why these meetings can feel intimidating, but also how they can become a powerful turning point when handled with care and clarity. I begin with gratitude for my brother’s progress in the hospital, for my own...

Episode Summary In this episode, I share why what truly inspires students goes far beyond lesson plans and pacing guides, as Mr. Funky Teacher, Nicholas Kleve. I reflect on how presence, consistency, and authenticity matter more than polished perfection. I open by sharing gratitude for meaningful time with my sons at a Nebraska Cornhusker football game, hope as my brother continues to recover in t...

Episode Summary In this episode, I reflect as Mr. Funky Teacher, Nicholas Kleve on a question from an educator at a conference session: how do we provide rigor while still keeping it fun and exciting for students? I start by sharing gratitude for my cousin Mike as a steady listener, for professional development days as a chance to grow and recharge, and for fun T-shirts that carry personality and...

Episode Summary In this episode, I reflect as Mr. Funky Teacher, Nicholas Kleve on a question that was asked after my presentation at the National Teacher Leadership Conference about how we keep learning fun and why joy still belongs in the classroom. I share personal gratitude from my life right now, including grief therapy, meaningful time mountain biking with my youngest son, and the gift of wa...

Episode Summary In this episode, I reflect as Mr. Funky Teacher, Nicholas Kleve on the truth that kids are always watching us, and that our students learn as much from how we live as from what we teach. I share a few personal moments that grounded me, including a calm, beautiful evening watching my youngest son play football, the importance of micro breaks, and gratitude that my voice is finally c...

Episode Summary 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 school district while holding onto the same heart for teaching and students. I share personal moments of gratitude, including appreciation for my dad’s independence, my wife’s homemade Rice Krispie bars, and the quiet beauty of flowers in...

Episode Summary In this episode, I explore the idea that teachers don’t need to be perfect to make a meaningful impact, only present, sharing this reflection as Mr. Funky Teacher, Nicholas Kleve. I talk about how showing up consistently for students emotionally, mentally, and physically builds trust far more than flawless lessons ever could. I share personal moments from my own life, including gra...

Episode Summary In this episode, I talk honestly about teaching on tough days and what it looks like to show up when you’re not feeling a hundred percent, sharing this reflection as Mr. Funky Teacher, Nicholas Kleve. I acknowledge that teachers are human too and that low-energy days don’t make us weak, they make us real. I share personal context from the transcript about feeling under the weather,...

Episode Summary In this episode, I focus on teaching soft skills and why they matter so much for preparing students for life beyond the classroom, and I share this message as Mr. Funky Teacher, Nicholas Kleve. I explain that soft skills carry students into adulthood and deserve intentional teaching alongside academics. I start by sharing three things I’m thankful for: French bread pizza as comfort...

Episode Summary In this episode, I focus on managing risk in teaching and how balancing challenge and safety helps students grow, and I share why this idea matters so much to me as Mr. Funky Teacher, Nicholas Kleve. I talk about how teaching, much like learning a new skill, carries risk, and how that risk must be intentional rather than reckless. I reflect on personal experiences working with a ch...

Episode Summary In this episode, I focus on teacher boundaries and how to care without burning out, and I share why this matters so much to me as Mr. Funky Teacher, Nicholas Kleve. I talk about how teachers are wired to give, but without boundaries, exhaustion takes over, and students can feel it. I reflect on my own life and how a three-day stretch included a do-nothing day off, catching up on pa...