In this Saturday Stories Leadership Kit episode, I introduce a new value: attitude. After building around listening and enthusiasm, we now move into something that shows up quickly and visibly in classrooms. Through the story “The New Seat,” students explore what it means to choose their attitude even when circumstances feel frustrating or unfair.
The story centers on Mateo, who is moved to a new table group and immediately resists the change. His posture, tone, and words reflect his frustration. The situation itself does not change, but through quiet influence from peers, Mateo begins to shift how he shows up.
This episode emphasizes that attitude is not about forced positivity. It is about ownership. Students do not control seating charts, assignments, or every classroom decision. But they always control how they respond. That distinction is powerful.
As always, I walk through reflection, noticing, and application questions that teachers can spread across the week. The goal is not to correct every complaint, but to build shared leadership language that helps students recognize that personal leadership begins with response.
Show Notes
Saturday Stories Leadership Kit series
New value focus: Attitude
Skill focus: Choose Your Attitude All the Time
Story: The New Seat (Characters: Mateo, Jaden, Aaliyah, Sophia)
Ownership versus forced positivity
Using reflection, noticing, and application questions across the week
Key Takeaways
Attitude is a choice, even when circumstances are not
Situations may stay the same while responses shift
Ownership builds personal leadership
Students can learn to lead themselves in uncomfortable moments
Consistent shared language strengthens classroom culture
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: Choose Your Attitude All the Time — The New Seat.
Before we jump into today's story, I want to ground myself in gratitude.
First, I'm thankful for fresh starts because every day gives us another chance to respond differently.
Second, I'm thankful for students who show resilience when things don't go their way.
And third, I'm thankful for the reminder that attitude is a choice even when circumstances aren't.
It's Saturday, which means it's time for another Saturday story from the Leadership Kit.
For the last six weeks, we've been building the foundation of the Leadership Kit — first around listening, then around enthusiasm. Now we move into a new value: attitude.
Attitude shows up quickly. It shows up in tone. It shows up in posture. It even shows up before we realize it's there.
Let's step into this week's story.
This episode is part of the Leadership Kit. The value we're focusing on this week is attitude.
The skill students are practicing is choose your attitude all the time.
And the story you're about to hear is called The New Seat.
The characters in this story are Jaden, Aaliyah, Sophia, and Mateo.
I'm going to read the story all the way through with no interruptions, and I want you to listen.
All right, let's get started with the story.
The New Seat.
Mateo didn't ask to move.
He walked over to the new table slowly, backpack still hanging off one shoulder.
Jaden glanced up.
Aaliyah gave a small smile.
Sophia scooted her chair to make room.
Mateo dropped into the seat.
"This is dumb," he muttered.
No one responded right away.
The teacher explained that groups were changing for the next unit. New partners. New ideas. New chances.
Mateo crossed his arms.
"I like my old table," he said.
Jaden nodded. "Yeah, I get that."
Aaliyah looked at him. "But we could still make this work."
Mateo rolled his eyes. "Whatever."
Work time started.
Jaden began sketching ideas.
Sophia opened the book.
Aaliyah asked a question about the directions.
Mateo leaned back. "This is going to be boring," he said.
Aaliyah paused.
"It might be," she said calmly. "Or we could decide it's not."
Mateo looked at her.
Jaden added, "I didn't like moving either. But we're here."
Sophia nodded. "You don't have to like it, but you get to choose how you show up."
Mateo stared at the paper in front of him.
For a moment, nothing changed.
Then he leaned forward.
"Fine," he said. "What are we doing?"
It wasn't a big smile. It wasn't a dramatic shift. But it was different.
Later, as they packed up, Mateo muttered, "That wasn't that bad."
Jaden grinned.
Mateo didn't smile, but he didn't cross his arms either.
Sometimes attitude changes everything.
And sometimes it just changes you.
Well, the skill focus here is choose your attitude all the time.
We don't always get to choose where we sit, who we work with, or what the assignment is.
But we do get to choose how we respond.
Attitude isn't pretending everything is perfect.
It's deciding how you're going to show up anyway.
This story works best when you spread questions across the week.
Start with a reflection question.
Have you ever been frustrated about something you couldn't control?
Then move to noticing questions.
What showed Mateo's attitude at the beginning?
What helped it shift?
Did the situation change, or did he?
Later in the week, ask application questions.
What things can't you control in school?
What parts can you control?
What does choosing your attitude actually look like?
So how do you use this story with students?
This week isn't about forced positivity.
It's about ownership.
As the week goes on, notice moments and name the skill.
"That was a choose your attitude moment."
"I noticed how you showed up."
"You couldn't control that, but you controlled your response."
Students don't need to love every situation.
They need to know they can lead themselves in it.
If you want the printable version of this story with teacher questions and a student handout, you can find it at Be a Funky Teacher dot com. It's free for classroom use.
As you head into the week, here's the leadership focus.
You won't control every circumstance, but you will always control your response.
And when students begin to understand that, they begin to lead themselves.
That's where real growth starts.
Head on over to Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen to this podcast and hit me up with a five star review.
If you found value in this episode, let me know what you think. It helps more teachers find this space.
And I want you to remember to inspire greatness in young people.
