In this poignant reflection, Nicholas Kleve, known as Mr. Funky Teacher, articulates the profound significance of utilizing one's teacher voice as a powerful instrument of advocacy. Positioned outside the Nebraska State Capitol, he prepares to testify before state senators regarding LR204, a resolution addressing the pressing issues of teacher burnout and retention. Kleve elucidates that the erosion of teacher identity is a fundamental cause of this burnout, emphasizing that the disconnection between a teacher’s intrinsic values and the imposed constraints of the educational system undermines their passion and purpose. He underscores the essential role of authentic teacher voices in shaping educational policy, contending that teachers must actively participate in the narrative that defines their profession. Kleve's testimony is not merely for personal gain; it is a collective call to restore accuracy and empathy within the discourse surrounding education, ultimately advocating for both teachers and students alike.

Reflecting on the intricacies of teacher advocacy, Nicholas Kleve, known as Mr. Funky Teacher, presents a poignant exploration of what it means to wield one's teacher voice effectively. Positioned outside the Nebraska State Capitol, he prepares to advocate for the crucial LR204 resolution, which seeks to address the pressing issues of teacher burnout and retention. Kleve's narrative begins with a personal touch, expressing gratitude for the natural beauty surrounding him, symbolizing the necessary changes within the educational landscape. He articulates the importance of advocacy, asserting that it is not merely a political act but a vital stewardship of the teaching profession. In his view, teacher voices are essential in shaping educational policies that reflect the realities of classroom experiences, countering narratives often dictated by those detached from the teaching environment.

Delving deeper, Kleve emphasizes the significance of accurate representation in educational discourse. He argues that when teachers are sidelined in discussions about their profession, the resultant policies often fail to address the real challenges faced in classrooms. The erosion of teacher identity, a central theme of his testimony, highlights how systemic failures can lead to a disconnection between a teacher's passion and their professional reality, ultimately contributing to burnout. Kleve's message resonates strongly: true advocacy emerges from a place of authenticity and care, where teachers are empowered to share their experiences and insights. As he prepares to testify, he carries not only his own voice but also the collective hopes and struggles of his fellow educators, underscoring the profound impact of shared narratives on policy reform.

In the concluding reflections of his testimony, Kleve articulates that the act of speaking up is inherently tied to the essence of teaching itself—fostering relationships, nurturing resilience, and promoting a collaborative spirit. He implores his listeners to recognize that advocacy is a courageous act, one that requires vulnerability and a commitment to truth. By sharing his story, he endeavors to pave the way for a more compassionate understanding of the teaching profession, urging policymakers to acknowledge the human elements that underpin educational success. Kleve's testimony serves as a clarion call for educators to reclaim their narrative, ensuring that their voices resonate loudly in the corridors of power, fostering a renewed sense of purpose and identity within the teaching community.

Takeaways:

• Advocacy in education transcends mere political engagement; it embodies a profound commitment to accuracy and accountability in shaping policy that directly impacts classrooms.
• The erosion of teacher identity is a significant contributor to burnout, as educators find themselves disconnected from their core purpose and passion for teaching.
• Authentic teacher voice serves as a catalyst for meaningful change, fostering a narrative that prioritizes the realities of teaching over reductive metrics and statistics.
• Courageous advocacy is essential; it requires educators to embrace vulnerability and consistently articulate the truth of their experiences to influence systemic reform.
• The teacher pipeline crisis is deeply intertwined with issues of identity and purpose, necessitating a focus on retaining educators through a supportive and purpose-driven environment.
• As I prepare to testify, I carry the collective voices of all educators who seek recognition and understanding, emphasizing the importance of representing our shared experiences.

Links referenced in this episode:

• beafunkyteacher.com

Companies mentioned in this episode:

• Be a Funky Teacher

Yeah, he's Mr. Funky.

He's Mr. Funky Teacher.

Mr. Funky Teacher inspires greatness, makes you feel good.

Like your favorite playlist.

Keeping that fresh and funky.

Yes he does.

He got some funky cool ideas to share for all you teachers.

He can empower others, students and teachers.

It's all about hard work and creativity.

He brings out the kindness in everyone.

He's got the passion to teach.

You hear it when he speaks.

He knows how to build strong relationships.

If you're seeking the best bunkiest, he is it.

He will empower you to improve.

You'll be helping others and loving it too.

He's Mr. Funky Teacher.

Yeah, he's Mr. Funky Teacher.

Yeah, yeah, yeah.

This is Mr. Funky Teacher with Be a Funky Teacher dot com.

I'm coming to you with another Be a Funky Teacher podcast.

Welcome back everyone.

This episode is called before the Testimony.

The power of using your teacher voice.

I am sitting here in my car outside of the Nebraska State Capitol.

In just a few minutes, I will walk inside and share my story with a panel of Senators for LR 204, a resolution looking at teacher burnout and retention in our state.

There's something surreal about about the quiet before a moment like this.

After 20 years in the classroom, this feels different.

I'm not walking into my room to teach today.

Instead, I'm walking into the system that shapes it.

Before we get into it, I want to talk about three things that I'm thankful for.

First thing that I'm thankful for is colorful leaves of autumn.

They remind me that the change is natural and sometimes necessary.

Like trees shedding what's old.

Education may be ready for renewal.

Second thing that I'm thankful for, wide open roads to drive on.

That long drive to Lincoln gave me time to think, to pray, and to focus, y'.

All.

And.

And what I know is that advocacy starts with movement.

Every mile is momentum.

Third thing that I'm thankful for, a calm blue sky morning with the sunrise.

That's right, that early light brings perspective.

Even in stress, hope still rises, y'.

All.

Well, let's get into the main topic here for this episode before the testimony, the power of using your teacher voice.

I want to talk about why advocacy matters.

See advocacy.

When we look at advocacy, policy shapes our classroom.

And policies often come from people who've never stood in one or never taught in one.

For sure, teachers don't speak up for attention.

They speak up for accuracy and accountability.

Advocacy isn't politics.

It's stewardship of our profession, y'.

All.

And teacher voice is teacher leadership.

Let's talk about that.

How teacher voice is teacher leadership.

Every teacher leads, title or not.

Leadership happens in the way that we greet kids at the door, guide a group project, or help a colleague after school.

Speaking up beyond the classroom is an extension of that same leadership.

Courage mixed with care, y'.

All.

And teachers don't want to control the narrative.

They just want it to be accurate.

Each year, the story of education gets told in headlines and hearings, but too often, it's written about teachers instead of by them.

The loudest voices sometimes belong to people who haven't lived a school day in years.

And when teachers speak, we aren't trying to steer policy for personal gain.

That's not what it's about.

We're trying to correct the record for our students.

We want it told fairly, y'.

All.

The joy, the exhaustion, the laughter, the humanity.

And when the story is inaccurate, damage spreads quietly.

Parents hear myths about short hours or easy breaks or missing.

The emotional labor of guiding a class.

Class full of different hearts.

Policymakers see, see percentages, but not people.

When teachers get reduced to scores and scripts, teachers begin to disappear from their own story.

And that's how identity erosion begins, y'.

All.

So accuracy shapes policy.

If.

If the only story told is test scores are down, the solution will always be test based.

But if the story includes trust, relationships, safety policies can start to look more human.

And that's why teacher voice matters.

Not for control, but for truth.

Authentic voice redefines leadership, y'.

All.

True leadership is relational, not positional.

Teacher curate curiosity.

They design belonging and nurture resilience every single day.

Leadership is the ripple effect of authenticity, and teachers generate those ripples constantly.

That's why I'm testifying today.

Not because I think my words alone will change policy, but because silence never will.

If we keep letting others tell the story for us, misunderstanding and mistrust will grow.

When we tell it ourselves with heart, honesty, and hope, the story shifts towards healing.

So as I sit here outside the Capitol, I'm not thinking about politics.

I'm thinking about accuracy, about the change to make the story of teaching in Nebraska just a little more real.

If even one senator leaves today seeing teachers with more empathy and understanding, it's worth every mile.

So let's talk about identity erosion, the root of burnout.

See, burnout isn't only exhaustion.

It's the disconnect between who we are and what we're allowed to be.

Teachers join this profession because it aligns with their identity, service, creativity, love for kids.

And when the system strips that autonomy of trust away, it frays the very sense of self that keeps us passionate.

You can sleep off fatigue, but you can't rest away identity loss.

You can't.

Only restoration can fix that.

So let's talk about courage over comfort.

Advocacy is uncomfortable.

It's vulnerable with a microphone.

But comfort never changed a system.

Courage isn't loud.

It's consistent.

It's saying, here's the truth, even when your voice might shake a little.

Let's talk about the teacher pipeline crisis, y'.

All.

Every empty classroom equals one less stable adult in a child's world.

When identity erodes, retention collapses.

Keeping teacher.

Keeping teachers isn't about pay or perks.

It's about purpose.

And so that's what we have to remember when we look at the teacher pipeline crisis.

And now I want to talk about caring voice with you.

See, I'm not walking in for myself this morning.

I'm not.

I'm carrying every teacher who's ever said, I wish someone would listen.

Every.

Every student who needs consistency, for every colleague who's still hanging on because they believe their work matters, y'.

All.

So when I go in, I'm not just walking in for myself.

Foreign.

I'm walking in for all of those educators, y'.

All.

I know.

I know the responsibility that that carries with me this morning.

And I will do my best to.

To do it in a way that's meaningful, purposeful, and honors not just my voice, but all of those other educators.

And knowing that the role that we're in and the impact that we can have and the impact that we can play for generations to come.

With my final reflection before heading in, as I watch those capitol doors, I feel both small and significant.

One drop in a larger current today isn't about being perfect.

It's about being present.

Because change doesn't start with titles.

It starts with teachers willing to tell the truth.

If you found value in this episode, jump on over to Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen to your podcast and hit me up with a five star review and let me know what you think.

And I want you to remember to inspire greatness in young people.

And don't forget to be a funky teacher.

Bye now.

He's Mr. Funky Teacher yeah.

He's Mr. Funky teacher yeah, yeah, yeah.

Sam.