In this Saturday Stories Leadership Kit episode, I continue our focus on the leadership value of helping others by introducing the skill of helping our community. Through the story After School, a group of students notices a neighborhood park covered in litter after school. Instead of walking past the problem, they decide to spend a few minutes cleaning the space together, demonstrating that leadership often begins by simply noticing a need and taking action.
The story reminds students that making a difference does not always require a large project or a formal plan. Every member of the group contributes in a small way, and together they leave the park cleaner, more welcoming, and better than they found it. Their actions show that leadership is often expressed through everyday service rather than recognition or reward.
I also share reflection questions teachers can use to help students think more deeply about serving others. Students are encouraged to discuss why the group chose to help, how small acts of service strengthen a community, and what opportunities exist for them to make a positive difference in their own school or neighborhood.
The episode concludes by encouraging teachers to notice and celebrate moments when students help without being asked, improve shared spaces, or contribute positively to those around them. Leadership is not always about doing something extraordinary. Sometimes it is simply choosing to leave a place better than you found it.
Show Notes
Leadership Kit value: Helping Others
Leadership skill: Help Our Community
Story: After School
Discovering opportunities to serve others
Small acts of service create meaningful change
Classroom reflection and leadership discussion
Key Takeaways
Leadership begins by noticing needs around you.
Small acts of service can make a real difference.
Communities become stronger when everyone contributes.
Helping others does not require recognition or rewards.
Students can improve the places where they learn and live.
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: Help Our Community — After School.
Before we jump into today's story, I want to ground myself in gratitude.
Here are three things that I'm thankful for.
The first thing that I'm thankful for is libraries.
There's something powerful about a place filled with stories, ideas, and opportunities to learn.
The second thing that I'm thankful for is rain after a dry stretch.
It reminds me that sometimes growth comes from things we can't control.
And the third thing that I'm thankful for is neighbors who look out for each other and make a community feel like home.
Well, it's Saturday, which means it's time for another Saturday story from the Leadership Kit.
For the past week, we've talked about working together.
Today we take another step because helping isn't only about your team.
Sometimes leadership means helping the larger community around you.
So let's step into the story.
This episode is part of the Leadership Kit.
The value we're focusing on this week is Helping Others.
The skill students are practicing is Help Our Community.
And the story you're about to hear is called After School.
The characters in this story are Aliyah, Jaden, Sophia, Mateo, Leo, and Eli.
I'm going to read the story all the way through with no interruptions.
I'm going to have you listen, and then we'll talk about how to discuss it with the class.
All right, let's go ahead and get started with the story.
After School
The final bell had already rung.
Most students were heading home.
The sidewalks were filling up.
Backpacks bounced.
Voices echoed as the group walked past the small community park near the school.
Jaden stopped.
"Wow."
The others looked over.
Trash was scattered around the grass.
Plastic bottles.
Wrappers.
Paper plates.
It looked like a busy weekend had left its mark.
Mateo shook his head.
"That's a mess."
Sophia looked around.
"Someone should clean that up."
Nobody said anything for a moment.
Then Leo smiled slightly.
"Someone?"
Everyone laughed.
Aliyah looked at the park.
"We could help."
Jaden shrugged.
"Right now?"
Eli looked around.
"It wouldn't take that long."
Mateo picked up an empty bottle.
"Well... I already started."
Sophia laughed.
"I guess we are doing this."
For the next twenty minutes, they worked.
They filled bags.
Picked up trash.
Straightened benches.
Gathered loose paper blowing in the wind.
Nobody told them to do it.
Nobody was giving them a grade.
Nobody was even watching.
When they finished, the park looked different.
Cleaner.
Brighter.
More welcoming.
Jaden looked around.
"We actually made a difference."
Aliyah nodded.
"Maybe not a huge difference."
Leo smiled.
"But a real one."
As they headed home, Eli looked back at the park.
"Sometimes helping your community doesn't require a big plan.
Sometimes it starts with noticing something that needs attention and doing something about it."
Well, that's our story.
The skill focus here is Help Our Community.
Communities don't become great because someone else takes care of them.
Communities become great when people contribute.
When people notice needs.
When people help.
Leadership often begins with simple acts of service.
When you bring this story in with students and have a discussion after reading it, of course you'll want to start with a reflection question.
Ask students:
"Have you ever helped improve something in your community?"
Then move into some noticing questions about the story.
"What did the group notice?"
"Why could they have walked away?"
"Why did they choose to help?"
Those are great questions to ask students.
As the week goes on, you might also ask:
"What are some ways students can help their community?"
"Why do small acts of service matter?"
"How can helping others make a place better?"
Those are important questions for students to think about.
This week's focus is really about service.
Notice moments when students help without being asked.
When they improve shared spaces in the classroom, the school, or even beyond.
Look for students who notice needs around them.
Who contribute positively.
And name those moments.
Say things like:
"You noticed a need."
"You made a difference."
"That helped our community."
You don't have to change the whole world.
You can start by improving the place right around you.
If you want a printable version of this story with teacher questions and a student handout you can use with students, you can find it at BeAFunkyTeacher.com.
It's free for classroom use.
As you head into the week, here's the leadership focus.
Look around.
Pay attention.
Notice what needs help.
Because leadership isn't always about big moments.
Not at all.
Sometimes it's simply leaving a place better than how you found it.
Well, if you found value in this episode, head on over to Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen to your podcasts 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.
