In this Saturday Stories episode, I introduce a Leadership Kit story focused on enthusiasm and the skill of being careful of enthusiasm destroyers. Through the story “The Comment That Stuck,” students explore how a single comment can drain excitement—and how leadership includes protecting your energy and ideas anyway.
I walk through the story of Jaden, Aaliyah, and Sophia as Jaden experiences how one offhand comment nearly steals his enthusiasm for an assignment he felt proud of. The moment is simple, but it reflects something students face often: deciding which voices deserve space in their heads and which ones do not.
This episode emphasizes that not all feedback is equal. Some comments are constructive and helpful. Others are careless, dismissive, or what I call “jerkish.” Part of leadership is learning to filter feedback wisely rather than shutting down completely.
As always with Saturday Stories, I offer reflection, noticing, and application questions that can be spread across the week to help students build shared language around enthusiasm, resilience, and protecting their excitement in a healthy way.
Show Notes
• Saturday Stories are short, student-friendly leadership stories from the Leadership Kit
• This week’s value is enthusiasm
• Skill focus: Be careful of enthusiasm destroyers
• Story title: “The Comment That Stuck”
• Students learn to filter feedback rather than absorb every comment
• Protecting excitement supports creativity, effort, and confidence
Key Takeaways
• Not every comment deserves space in your head
• Enthusiasm can be drained by careless words
• Leadership includes protecting your excitement
• Students can learn to distinguish constructive feedback from harmful commentary
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: Be Careful of Enthusiasm Destroyers — The Comment That Stuck.
Before we jump into today's story, I want to ground myself in gratitude.
First, I'm thankful for students who start something with excitement and courage.
Second, I'm thankful for moments when kids realize words carry weight.
And third, I'm thankful for classrooms where enthusiasm can be protected, not crushed.
It's Saturday, which means it's time for another Saturday story from the Leadership Kit.
Saturday Stories are short, student-friendly leadership stories that help students build awareness through real moments. Not lectures. Not call outs. Just shared language.
Each story stands on its own, but together they help students notice patterns in how they treat themselves and others.
Let's get into this week's focus.
This episode is part of the Leadership Kit. The value we're focusing on this week is enthusiasm.
The skill students are practicing is being careful of enthusiasm destroyers.
And the story you're about to hear is called The Comment That Stuck.
The characters in this story are Jaden, Aaliyah, and Sophia.
I'm going to read the story all the way through. No interruptions. Just listen.
All right, here we go.
The Comment That Stuck
Jaden couldn't stop smiling. He tapped his paper with his pencil, already imagining how it would look when he finished. The idea had come to him fast, and for once he felt excited.
Before he even started, Aaliyah noticed.
"You look way too happy for an assignment," she said, smiling.
"I actually like this one," Jaden said. "I think it's going to turn out really good."
Sophia leaned over to look.
Before she could say anything, another voice from nearby said, "That's not even going to be that good."
Jaden froze.
The smile didn't disappear, but it faded. He stared at his paper again. The idea didn't feel as clear anymore.
Aaliyah glanced over. "You don't have to listen to that."
Jaden shrugged. "I know. It's just stuck."
Sophia leaned closer. "Do you still like your idea?"
Jaden hesitated, then nodded. "Yeah, I do."
He picked up his pencil again, slower this time, but steadier.
By the end of work time, his page was full. When the teacher walked by, she paused.
"This shows a lot of thought."
Jaden looked up.
Later, Aaliyah said, "Some comments try to steal excitement."
Jaden nodded. "I think I'm learning when to ignore them."
Sophia smiled. "That's leadership, too."
That was the story.
Our skill focus here is being careful of enthusiasm destroyers.
Sometimes people, without realizing it, say things that drain excitement.
Good learners learn to notice those comments, decide whether to accept them, and protect their enthusiasm anyway.
Not every voice deserves space in your head.
Write that down. It's going to be in a test.
I'll say it again.
Not every voice deserves space in your head.
That is true for us as adults, and it is true for the students we work with.
Here are some questions you can spread out over time during the week.
Start with a reflection question right after the story:
Have you ever felt excited about something and then felt different after a comment?
Later in the week, use noticing questions:
What happened to Jaden's excitement?
What made the comment hard to ignore?
How did Aaliyah and Sophia support him?
Then move toward application questions:
What kinds of comments drain excitement?
How can you protect your enthusiasm?
When should you listen to feedback, and when should you let it go?
Use the story with students throughout the week.
This is not about calling people out. It's about awareness.
As the week goes on, notice moments and name the skill.
"That comment could have been an enthusiasm destroyer."
"I noticed you kept going anyway."
"You protected your excitement when someone said something discouraging."
Students do not need to shut down feedback. They need to learn how to filter it.
There are opportunities here to talk about how to give appropriate, constructive feedback.
This story is mainly about how to receive feedback and recognize that you do not have to let every comment live in your head—especially if it is careless or unkind.
Sometimes kids will say things that are not purposeful or meaningful. Teaching students how to ignore those comments can be powerful.
At the same time, we can teach the difference between constructive feedback and what I jokingly call jerkish feedback.
Students are going to receive both in life.
Learning how to navigate valuable feedback versus unhelpful comments is leadership.
If you want the printable version of this story with teacher questions and a student handout, you can find it at BeAFunkyTeacher.com. It is free for classroom use.
As you go into this week, here is the leadership focus:
Not every comment deserves your energy.
Not every voice gets to decide your excitement.
Help students notice enthusiasm destroyers and choose not to give them power.
Because protecting excitement is how creativity, effort, and confidence survive.
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 remember to inspire greatness in young people.
