Episode Summary

In this episode, I reflect on the former students who have found me years after leaving my classroom. Some have chased me down in stores to share what they are doing, introduce their families, or talk about college, work, and life. Those unexpected conversations remind me that the relationships teachers build can continue long after a school year ends.

I also share the story of a former student who reached out during an incredibly difficult season. The student had graduated and needed support, so another trusted educator and I helped connect that young person with community resources. Thankfully, that former student received help, moved forward, built a life and family, and is doing well today.

This episode explores why teaching has never been only about academics. Teachers can become trusted adults, anchors, encouragers, and sources of guidance. Much of that work happens quietly through listening, showing up consistently, noticing when someone is struggling, and helping people connect with the support they need.

Ultimately, the legacy of a teacher does not live only in lessons, programs, or test results. It lives inside people. Former students carry pieces of their classrooms, relationships, and teachers with them into adulthood. That lasting human connection is why this work still feels sacred to me.

Show Notes

• Former students returning years later
• The lasting impact of teacher-student relationships
• Becoming a trusted adult for young people
• Connecting students with help and support
• Why teaching extends beyond academics
• Building a legacy through people

Key Takeaways

• Teacher relationships can last far beyond the classroom
• Trusted adults can become anchors during difficult seasons
• Some of the most meaningful teaching happens quietly
• Small moments of encouragement can change life trajectories
• A teacher’s legacy often lives inside former students

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 Why This Work Is Still Sacred.

There are moments as a teacher when you remember exactly why you do this work.

Sometimes it happens in unexpected places.

A grocery store.

A gas station.

Walking through town.

I've had multiple former students who have literally chased me down in stores just to say hi.

To tell me what they're doing now.

To introduce me to their families.

To tell me about jobs.

About college.

About life.

And honestly, those moments never stop feeling special.

But there's another moment I think about often.

I had a former student who tracked me down years later.

This student had already graduated.

Life was difficult.

Things felt dark.

And this student needed help.

One thing I always tell students is this:

Once you're a Mr. Funky Teacher student, you're always a Mr. Funky Teacher student.

So another trusted adult, another trusted educator, and I helped connect that former student, who had graduated and was 18, with some resources and community support.

Thankfully, that student was able to get some help.

Build a life.

Build a family.

And is actually doing well today.

Honestly, moments like that remind me that teaching was never only about academics.

Well, before we get into it, I want to ground myself in gratitude.

I sometimes get emotional thinking about the different ways I've impacted students' lives, but also the ways they've impacted me.

So let's talk about three things that I'm thankful for.

The first thing that I'm thankful for is running into people unexpectedly.

Especially former students.

Sometimes the best conversations are the ones you didn't plan.

For example, running into a former student you haven't seen for years, and they're excited to tell you how they're doing.

The second thing that I'm thankful for is teachers who once believed in me.

We often carry pieces of people forward with us.

I very much believe that.

There are many teachers who believed in me, and I carry their lessons, their learning, and what they instilled in me forward.

And the third thing that I'm thankful for is opportunities to help others.

Helping people gives life meaning for me.

I'm so thankful for opportunities to help others.

Let's get back into the main topic.

People talk about education through standards.

Curriculum.

Technology.

Testing.

Systems.

And all of those things matter.

But teaching also lives inside human moments.

Relationships.

Trust.

Support.

Connection.

So the topic once again that we're going to be focusing on is Why This Work Is Still Sacred.

Here's what I've been thinking about.

Teaching extends beyond the classroom.

Students do not always stop being connected to teachers when the school year ends.

No.

Relationships often extend far beyond classrooms.

Sometimes students remember teachers for years to come.

For a lifetime.

That long-term impact matters deeply.

What I strive to do is impact students long beyond the classroom in a positive and influential way.

Not in a dramatic, “Oh my goodness, that teacher was awful,” kind of way.

But in a positive, influential kind of way.

Relationships create lasting impact.

Students remember people who saw them.

They remember people who encouraged them.

Believed in them.

Showed consistency.

Relationships often shape life trajectories, sometimes more than we even realize.

We have to recognize that relationships create those lasting impacts.

Students often return to trusted adults during difficult moments.

Students frequently seek out people they trust.

Trusted adults become anchors.

Safety points.

Sources of perspective.

That responsibility matters greatly.

When students seek me out because they want to celebrate what's going on in their lives and share their accomplishments, I love that.

I'm also honored when a student trusts me enough to say, “Hey, there's something difficult going on in my life, and I want to seek some guidance from Mr. Kleve.”

I take that very seriously.

I want to be that trusted adult they can always feel like they can come back to if they need guidance.

I have trusted adults in my own life who I can seek guidance from.

Even still today, as a grown man.

Sacred work often happens quietly.

The biggest moments are not always public.

Sometimes sacred work looks like listening.

Encouraging.

Connecting people to help.

Or simply showing up consistently.

Those moments matter deeply.

They do.

Teachers sometimes change trajectories.

Teachers rarely know every impact they make.

Small moments matter.

Encouragement matters.

The relationships we build matter.

Sometimes changing one trajectory changes generations in ways we can't even begin to realize.

Changing lives often happens slowly.

One person at a time.

Belonging remains powerful.

Students need spaces where they feel known.

Accepted.

Valued.

Belonging creates connection.

And connection creates resilience.

Those needs never fully disappear.

We have such an opportunity to create spaces where students feel like they belong.

And it can change everything for a young person.

Education is deeply human work.

Technology changes.

Systems change.

The standards we teach change.

Human needs remain.

People still need connection.

Guidance.

Encouragement.

Support.

Legacy is built through people.

Teachers often think about programs or lessons.

But legacy usually lives inside people.

Former students carry pieces of classrooms forever.

That impact stretches farther than we sometimes realize.

Service gives work meaning.

Helping others creates purpose for me.

Supporting students and their growth creates purpose.

Showing up consistently creates purpose.

Service remains one of the deepest parts of teaching.

Sacred work means people matter.

Sacred work is not perfection.

Sacred work is people.

Relationships.

Presence.

Encouragement.

Showing up for others when it matters most.

Why this work is still sacred may simply come down to people remembering who showed up for them.

As I do a reflective close here, I want to say that sometimes people ask whether teaching is still worth it.

And honestly, I think about former students.

The ones who stopped me in stores.

The ones at graduations.

The ones building families.

The ones who struggled.

The ones who came back.

And I keep coming back to this:

You change the world one student at a time.

One relationship at a time.

One day at a time.

One hour at a time.

Because once you're my student, you're always my student.

And honestly, that's why this work still feels sacred.

Well, if you found value in this episode, head 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.

It helps more teachers find this space.

And as you go into your day, I want you to remember to inspire greatness in young people.

And don't forget to be a funky teacher.

Bye now.