Episode Summary

In this Episode 100, I celebrate “100 lessons that changed my teaching journey and made me Mr. Funky Teacher.” As Mr. Funky Teacher, Nicholas Kleve, I share the truths that have shaped me across 20+ years in education through kids, colleagues, mistakes, breakthroughs, and the heart work of teaching.

I reflect on why I start every episode with three things I’m thankful for, and how that practice of gratitude is a nod to my mom and the way she believed gratitude can guide your day.

I break the 100 lessons into clear sections—relationships and connection, classroom culture and community, teacher leadership and professional growth, resilience and purpose, and teaching practice and daily wisdom—sharing the beliefs and strategies that have become the backbone of how I teach and lead.

I close with a reflective reminder that teaching is necessary work, holy work, and sacred work—and that if nobody has told you lately, you matter, your work matters, and kids are better because you show up.

Show Notes

• I celebrate Episode 100 by sharing 100 lessons that shaped my teaching journey across 20+ years in education.

• I explain why I begin each episode with three things I’m thankful for and connect that practice to my mom and gratitude.

• I share lessons from relationships and connection, including greeting students, listening, and building trust through dignity and grace.

• I share lessons about classroom culture and community, including psychological safety, movement, routines, and protecting the room from adult negativity.

• I share teacher leadership lessons about influence, advocacy, collaboration, integrity, and lifting new leaders.

• I share resilience and identity lessons about boundaries, rest, purpose, secondhand trauma, and protecting your peace.

• I share daily teaching wisdom about tone, calm, compassion, trust, and building a classroom as a community.

Key Takeaways

• Relationships are the oxygen of the classroom, and connection comes before correction.

• Classroom culture creates commitment, and psychological safety helps kids take academic risks.

• Leadership is influence and service, and teacher voice is essential to fixing systems.

• Resilience requires boundaries, rest, and community, especially when the work gets heavy.

• Teaching is sacred work, built in moments, and kids are better because you show up.