In this episode, I introduce a Saturday Story from the Leadership Kit focused on the value of effort and the skill of giving your best, even when it’s not perfect. I share a story called It Still Counts, where a student struggles with finishing work because it doesn’t feel “good enough.”
I talk about how students often get stuck trying to be perfect, and how that can actually stop progress. Through the characters in the story, we see that effort is not about perfection—it’s about showing up, trying, and finishing what you can in that moment.
I also explain how this story can be used in the classroom through discussion and reflection. Asking students questions, helping them think about their own experiences, and naming effort when we see it can shift how they approach their work.
At the end of the day, I believe students need to understand that their best effort matters, even when it doesn’t look perfect. Because progress, growth, and persistence are what truly count.
Show Notes
Leadership Kit focus on effort
Story: It Still Counts
Perfection vs. best effort
Students getting stuck on “not good enough”
Using questions to drive reflection
Classroom discussion and application
Naming effort in real time
Progress over perfection mindset
Key Takeaways
Best effort does not mean perfect
Perfection can stop progress
Effort matters even when incomplete
Reflection helps shift student thinking
Growth is not always visible immediately
Progress matters more than perfection
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: Give Your Best Effort — It Still Counts.
Before we jump into today's story, I want to ground myself in gratitude.
First, I'm thankful for those moments when someone gives their best, even when it's not perfect.
The second thing that I'm thankful for is encouragement—the kind that helps people keep going when they're not sure if they're doing well.
And the third thing that I'm thankful for is growth—the kind you can't always see right away, but you know it's happening.
Well, it's Saturday, which means it's time for another Saturday story from the Leadership Kit.
Over the past few weeks, we've been talking about effort—working hard, keeping going, trying one more time. And today we take it one step further.
Because effort isn't just about continuing. It's about how you show up when it's hard.
So let's step into the story.
This episode is part of the Leadership Kit.
The value we are focusing on this week is effort.
The skill students are practicing is: give your best effort.
And the story you are about to hear is called It Still Counts.
The characters in this story are Aaliyah, Jaden, Sophia, Matteo, and Leo.
I'm going to read the story all the way through with no interruptions, and then we’ll talk about questions and how to bring it into your classroom.
So here is the story.
It Still Counts
The paper sat in front of Sophia, half finished. She stared at it.
“I don’t think this is very good,” she said quietly.
Mateo looked over. “You’re almost done.”
“Yeah,” she said. “But it’s not really good.”
Jaden shrugged. “Just finish it.”
Sophia shook her head. “What’s the point if it’s not my best?”
Aaliyah leaned in slightly. “What would your best look like right now?”
Sophia didn’t answer.
Leo looked at the paper. “You’ve been working on it for a while.”
Sophia nodded. “Yeah, but I keep changing things.”
Mateo tapped the table. “Are you trying to make it perfect?”
Sophia hesitated. “Maybe.”
Aaliyah smiled slightly. “What if your best right now isn’t perfect?”
Sophia looked up. “What do you mean?”
Aaliyah pointed at the paper. “You’ve been thinking, writing, revising. That counts.”
Leo added, “Doing your best doesn’t mean it has to be the best.”
Jaden nodded. “It just means it’s your best effort.”
Sophia looked back at the paper, then picked up her pencil.
She finished the last part. Not perfect, but complete.
She leaned back. “I think I did what I could.”
Aaliyah nodded. “That’s your best.”
Sometimes your best doesn’t look perfect, but it still counts.
Well, that’s the story.
And the skill focus here is giving your best effort.
Best effort doesn’t mean perfect. It doesn’t mean flawless.
It means showing up, trying, working through it, and finishing.
Even your best might look different each day, but it still matters.
And it’s important for us to help students understand that.
As educators, we can take this story and bring it into our classrooms through discussion.
You might start with a question like:
“Have you ever not finished something because you didn’t think it was good enough?”
That can open up powerful conversation.
Then move into noticing:
“Why did Sophia hesitate to finish?”
“What helped her move forward?”
“What changed in her thinking?”
As the week goes on, you can revisit the story and ask:
“What’s the difference between your best and perfect?”
“Why can trying to be perfect stop progress?”
“What does your best effort look like today?”
This week is about effort without perfection.
As you move through your days, name those moments:
“You gave your best.”
“You kept going even when it wasn’t perfect.”
Because that effort matters.
Students often stop because they think it has to be perfect.
This helps them see that progress matters more than perfection.
If you want a printable version of this story with teacher questions and a student handout, you can find it over at BeAFunkyTeacher.com. It’s free for classroom use.
And as you head into your week ahead, here’s the leadership focus:
Your best doesn’t have to be perfect—it just has to be real.
Because effort, even when it’s not perfect, still counts.
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.
