Episode Summary

In this episode, I talk honestly about teaching on tough days and what it looks like to show up when you’re not feeling a hundred percent, sharing this reflection as Mr. Funky Teacher, Nicholas Kleve. I acknowledge that teachers are human too and that low-energy days don’t make us weak, they make us real.

I share personal context from the transcript about feeling under the weather, struggling with fatigue, voice strain, and the challenge of not even knowing the sick-day process in a new school district. I reflect on long days, after-school responsibilities, and how physical exhaustion and illness can pile up unexpectedly.

I connect these experiences to classroom practice by focusing on essentials, routines, relationships, and safety when energy is low. I explain why small wins matter on tough days and how consistency and presence still make a difference for students.

I close by encouraging educators to give themselves grace, remember that not every day has to be spectacular, and trust that showing up with heart, even at less than full capacity, still matters deeply for students.

Show Notes

• I acknowledge feeling under the weather and the reality that teachers don’t always have full energy.

• I share the challenge of navigating illness and not knowing sick-day procedures in a new district.

• I reflect on exhaustion from late nights, supervision duties, and physical labor outside of school.

• I explain the importance of focusing on essentials like routines, relationships, and safety on tough days.

• I emphasize celebrating small wins when energy is low.

• I discuss giving myself grace and not striving for perfection when not feeling well.

• I reflect on modeling resilience and balance for students.

Key Takeaways

• Teachers are human and won’t feel their best every day.

• Low-energy days don’t mean failure, they reflect honesty and realism.

• Focusing on essentials helps maintain calm and consistency in the classroom.

• Small wins matter on tough days.

• Showing up with heart still makes a meaningful impact on students.

This is Mr. Funky Teacher with BeAFunkyTeacher.com. I’m coming to you with another Be a Funky Teacher podcast. It’s great to be back here with all of you.

I have to admit, I’m feeling under the weather. I’m not feeling great. I’m feeling run down, and that’s actually the topic today: teaching on tough days, how to show up when you’re not feeling a hundred percent.

I have to acknowledge the reality that teachers are humans too. You won’t always have your best energy. Sometimes you don’t feel great. That doesn’t make you weak, it makes you real.

I don’t feel great today. Funny enough, I don’t even know the process for calling in sick in my new school district. I don’t know who to contact or what the procedure is, and that’s on me. I almost wish I could stay home and sleep because I feel so run down.

Last night I had to supervise a volleyball game, and it went all five sets. I got home very late and wasn’t feeling great then either. My voice started going mid-afternoon yesterday, and now it’s almost gone. I know I sound rough. I’m straining just to talk.

It’s probably a combination of being sore from cutting down trees at my dad’s house, not feeling well, and maybe a cold or laryngitis. I’m not sure. I just don’t feel great right now.

So today I’m going to do what matters most. I’m going to focus on essentials: routines, relationships, safety. I’m saving the extras for another day.

I usually like to go in early, but today I’m not going in that much earlier, and that’s okay. Some days need to be low-key.

Today is about small wins. Sometimes success is just keeping the classroom calm. Students will see consistency even if I’m quieter or slower. They’ll know I’m not feeling well and show grace, and that reminds me I need to give myself grace too.

Your presence still makes a difference, even on off days. Kids learn from adults who push through challenges, but they also learn balance. You don’t have to give 110 percent every single day.

And sometimes, taking a sick day is the right thing to model too. We get sick. We’re human.

Not every day has to be spectacular. Some days good enough is still powerful. What matters is showing up with heart, even when your energy isn’t at its highest.

That brings our episode to a close. Remember to inspire greatness in young people. And don’t forget to be a funky teacher. Bye now.