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 coming back after feeling sick.

I connect this to classroom life by emphasizing that students watch how we react when things go wrong, how we treat struggling learners, and how we interact with other staff. I share why being the calm in the chaos matters, and how our steady presence helps students learn self-regulation, emotional management, and resilience.

I close by encouraging educators to model joy, curiosity, and grit through real stories, reflection, and the way we respond when lessons flop, technology fails, or life gets messy. Kids are watching how to do life, and our example can become the kind of leadership they carry with them.

Show Notes

• I share gratitude for calm, beautiful evenings, including watching my youngest son play football in the perfect weather.

• I reflect on the value of micro breaks and how three to five minutes can help teachers reset and return stronger.

• I talk about being thankful that my voice is coming back after a week of struggling to speak.

• I emphasize that kids don’t just listen to instructions, they watch how we respond, react, and treat others.

• I explain why being the calm in the chaos matters and how it models self-regulation, emotional control, and safety through presence.

• I encourage teachers to model joy, curiosity, and grit, not just teach growth mindset.

• I share examples from outdoor adventures and how I use challenges, setbacks, and small wins to model resilience for students.

• I reflect on technology problems and lesson pivots as real-time teachable moments for modeling calm and perseverance.

Key Takeaways

• Students learn from how we act, not just from what we say.

• Being the calm in the chaos models self-regulation, resilience, and emotional safety.

• Modeling joy, curiosity, and grit helps students learn how to handle challenges and setbacks.

• Reflecting with students after a tough moment can become a powerful learning experience.

• Classrooms are full of teachable moments that come from real life, not perfect lesson plans.