In this Saturday Story, I share a Leadership Kit story focused on effort and what it means to keep trying. This week builds on the idea that effort isn’t always easy, and sometimes the hardest part is choosing not to quit.
I walk through the story “One More Rep,” where a student is ready to give up after repeated frustration but is encouraged to try just one more time. That small decision ends up making all the difference.
I also talk about how this connects directly to what we see in classrooms every day. Students often stop right before growth happens, and those moments are opportunities for us to step in, encourage, and help them push just a little further.
At the end of the day, this is about persistence—not pushing forever, but not stopping too soon. Sometimes growth is just one more try away, and that’s a message worth reinforcing with students every single day.
Show Notes
Leadership Kit: Effort
Skill focus: Keep trying
Story: One More Rep
Encouraging persistence in students
Reflection and discussion strategies
Connecting stories to classroom moments
Key Takeaways
Effort includes pushing through frustration
Students often stop right before growth
One more try can change the outcome
Persistence can be taught and reinforced
Small moments of encouragement matter
Transcripts
Funky Teacher, Nicholas Kleve:
This is Mr. Funky Teacher with BeAFunkyTeacher.com. I'm coming to you with another Be a Funky Teacher podcast. Welcome back, everyone. Today's episode is called Saturday Stories — Leadership Kit: One More Rep.
Before we jump into today's story, I want to ground myself in gratitude.
The first thing that I'm thankful for is moments when you almost quit but don't—and you're glad you kept going.
The second thing that I'm thankful for is coaches, teachers, and people in our lives who push us just a little bit further than we think we can go.
And the third thing that I'm thankful for is progress—not perfection—but those small improvements that show up over time.
Well, it's Saturday, which means it's time for another Saturday Story from the Leadership Kit.
Last week, we talked about effort—doing a little more, finishing what you start. This week builds right on that, because effort isn’t always easy.
Sometimes it’s frustrating. Sometimes it’s tiring. And sometimes the hardest part is choosing to keep going.
So let’s step into the story.
This episode is part of the Leadership Kit. The value we’re focusing on this week is effort, and the skill students are practicing is keep trying.
And the story you’re about to hear is called One More Rep.
The characters in this story are Aaliyah, Jaden, Sophia, Mateo, and Leo.
Now I’m going to read this story all the way through—no interruptions. Just listen.
Here we go.
One More Rep
Jaden dropped the ball again. It bounced off his hands and rolled across the floor.
Mateo picked it up. “That’s like five in a row.”
Jaden shook his head. “I can’t get it.”
Sophia watched from the side. “You were close that time.”
Jaden let out a breath. “Close doesn’t count.” He stepped back. “I’m done.”
Leo looked at him. “Already?”
Jaden shrugged. “What’s the point?”
Aaliyah walked over and picked up the ball. “You almost had it,” she said.
“Almost doesn’t matter,” Jaden replied.
Aaliyah tossed him the ball. “One more.”
Jaden didn’t catch it at first. Then he held it. “I said I’m done.”
Aaliyah nodded. “Okay,” she said. “Then just do one more before you’re done.”
Mateo leaned on the table. “Yeah, one more doesn’t hurt.”
Sophia added, “Just to see.”
Jaden looked at the ball, then at the hoop, then back at his group.
“Fine,” he said. “One more.”
He set his feet. Took a breath. Shot.
The ball hit the rim—and dropped through.
Jaden froze.
Mateo shouted, “There it is!”
Sophia smiled. “You had it.”
Leo nodded. “One more rep.”
Jaden picked up the ball again.
“I’m not done yet.”
Sometimes the difference isn’t skill.
It’s one more try.
Well, there’s the story.
The skill focus here is keep trying.
It’s easy to stop when something doesn’t work. It’s easy to walk away when it gets frustrating.
But growth often shows up right after that moment.
One more try. One more effort. One more rep.
That’s where progress lives.
When you bring this to students, start with reflection:
Have you ever wanted to quit something right before you figured it out?
Then move into noticing:
Why did Jaden want to stop?
What helped him try again?
What changed when he did one more?
Later in the week, go deeper:
Why is it hard to keep trying when something feels difficult?
What helps you push through frustration?
What might happen if you give it one more try?
Use this story with students because this week is about persistence.
Not pushing forever—but not stopping too soon.
And as the week goes on, name these moments when you see them:
“You tried again.”
“You didn’t quit.”
“That was your one more rep.”
Because students often stop right before growth happens.
And this helps them see that progress is often just one more try away.
If you want the printable version of this story with teacher questions and a student handout, you can find it at BeAFunkyTeacher.com—it’s free for classroom use.
And as you head into the week, here’s the leadership focus:
When it gets hard, don’t rush to stop.
Take a breath.
Try one more time.
Because sometimes that’s the moment everything changes.
Well, head on over to Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen and leave a five-star review. Let me know what you think—it helps more teachers find this space.
And as you go into your day, remember to inspire greatness in young people.
