The episode elucidates the transformative potential inherent in the act of commencing anew within the educational landscape, emphasizing that even seasoned educators can benefit from a fresh start in a new school district. Mr. Funky Teacher, Nicholas Kleve, candidly shares his experiences of grappling with unfamiliar systems and the subsequent necessity of rebuilding routines, all while maintaining an unwavering dedication to his students. The discourse reveals that while the transition may be fraught with challenges and moments of disorientation, it concurrently serves as an invaluable opportunity for personal and professional growth. The essence of this episode lies in the assertion that despite the myriad of changes in environment and methodology, the fundamental passion for nurturing and supporting students remains constant. Ultimately, it is the heart for children that must accompany educators through each new chapter in their careers, reinforcing the notion that genuine connection and empathy are the bedrock of effective teaching.

The essence of educational transformation is poignantly captured in the reflections of Mr. Funky Teacher, Nicholas Kleve, as he navigates the complexities of starting afresh in a new school district. This episode serves as a testament to the notion that change, though daunting, harbors the potential for significant personal and professional growth. Kleve articulates the myriad challenges that arise when faced with new systems and expectations, evoking the sentiments of even seasoned educators who find themselves feeling like novices once more. The struggle inherent in adapting to these changes is framed not merely as an obstacle but rather as an invaluable opportunity for introspection and development, highlighting the imperative of relinquishing outdated habits in favor of innovative practices.

Additionally, Kleve's discourse emphasizes the importance of embodying a learner's mindset amidst the upheaval of transition. He candidly shares his experiences of grappling with unfamiliar curricular resources and digital platforms, illustrating the necessity of inquiry and adaptability. This perspective not only fosters personal growth but also enhances the educator's ability to empathize with students who are navigating their own learning journeys. By embracing vulnerability and the discomfort of being a learner, teachers can cultivate a more authentic and relatable classroom environment, thereby enriching the educational experience for their students.

As the episode unfolds, Kleve firmly asserts that the heart and passion for teaching must accompany educators through every transition. Despite the fluctuations in district policies and curricular frameworks, the fundamental drive to connect with and inspire students must remain unwavering. He encapsulates this sentiment by affirming that while systems may change, the intrinsic motivation to foster student success is a constant that defines the essence of effective teaching. The episode culminates in a resounding call to action for educators to embrace change with open hearts and minds, recognizing that every new beginning is an opportunity to reaffirm their commitment to the craft of teaching.

Takeaways:

• Starting fresh in a new school district, even for seasoned educators, presents unique challenges and opportunities for professional growth.
• The process of beginning anew necessitates a willingness to relinquish old habits and embrace new systems and routines.
• Engaging in the learning process again fosters empathy and connection with students, as one recalls the struggles of being a learner themselves.
• Maintaining a heartfelt commitment to students is paramount, regardless of the changes in systems or educational environments.
• Effective teaching involves a balance between authenticity in facing challenges and the willingness to adapt to new curricular demands.
• Starting over in education is a continuous journey, applicable not just for new teachers but for any educator willing to evolve and grow.

Links referenced in this episode:

• beafunkteacher.com

Companies mentioned in this episode:

• Be a Funky Teacher

Yeah, he's Mr. Funky.

He's Mr. Funky Teacher.

Mr. Funky Teacher inspires greatness, makes you feel good.

Like your favorite playlist.

Keeping that fresh and funky.

Yes, he does.

He got some funky cool ideas to share for all you teachers.

He can empower others, students and teachers.

It's all about hard work and creativity.

He brings out the kindness in everyone.

He's got the passion to teach.

You hear it when he speaks.

He knows how to build strong relationships.

If you're seeking the best bunkiest, he is it.

He will empower you to improve.

You'll be helping others and loving it too.

He's Mr. Funky Teacher.

Yeah, he's Mr. Funky Teacher.

Yeah, yeah, yeah.

This is Mr. Funky Teacher with Be a Funky Teacher dot com.

I'm coming to you with another Be a Funky Teacher podcast.

Welcome everyone to today's podcast.

I'm so excited to be here with you.

Today we are going to be focusing on the power of starting over.

New district, new systems, same heart.

That's what we're going to be focusing on.

But before we get into it, let's talk about three things that I'm thankful for.

First thing I'm thankful for is my dad and his independence.

I'm thankful that he is able to still be active and do things on his own, and that means a lot.

One of the things he enjoys doing every day is getting out and going and visiting my brother who's in a.

He's disabled, but he's in an intermediate care facility and he goes and visits him on a daily basis.

I so am thankful that he's able to do that on a daily basis.

Next thing I'm thankful for is my wife's homemade Rice Krispie bars.

Oh, if you want a delicious treat, there's nothing like a homemade Rice Krispie bar made by my wife.

They're delicious.

Now, my wife doesn't make them all the time, but when she does, oh, do I look forward to them.

They are so delicious.

The third thing, pretty flowers in the fall.

What I notice always in the fall and the Midwest is nature's kind of slowing down.

I mean, you have trees that are starting to change color and starting to lose your leaves.

The grass is starting to grow down and not slow down and not grow as much.

The nature's just slowing down.

But there's something about when you come across a beautiful flower in the fall or in the lakes, late, late summer, early fall type of seasons that there's something very nice about it and very comforting and I don't know, a Whole lot about flowers, but I do enjoy a pretty flower in the fall.

All right, so now let's dig into talking about the power of starting over.

New district, new systems, same heart.

Now the first big thing that I want to talk about is about change being hard, but it's also growth.

When we look at change, it is hard to have change, but change is also growth.

Starting over makes you feel like a first year teacher.

Sometimes even with 20 plus years of experience, you have new routines, you have new expectations, new systems.

It can feel almost disorienting sometimes.

And, but here's the thing.

There's growth in the struggle.

There is growth in the struggle.

You get stretched.

You let go of some old habits that maybe weren't as effective or weren't productive.

In the classroom, you get to build new ways of doing things.

And growth does require letting go even of old versions of ourselves sometimes that we face.

And so change, while change is hard, it's also an opportunity to have growth through change.

And so that's what thinking about moving from one district to another has been so powerful for me.

It's challenged me to grow as an educator.

You know, the next thing that I want to talk about is being the learner again.

This year I am one asking a lot of questions.

I'm learning new platforms, our new math program that, that I'm not used to using, our language arts program, different ways of doing grading and assessing as different platforms, digital and paper.

There's a lot to consider, asking a lot of questions.

I'm also building new systems from scratch in my classroom.

Systems, procedures, processes.

I'm building from scratch based on my, my classroom setup.

And you know, I, my last classroom I was in, I've been, I've taught in four different classrooms over my 22 years.

This is the fourth classroom I've been in.

In every classroom you got to set up new procedures, new routines, new systems.

But it's especially even bigger when you're.

You go to a completely different school district, but that's okay.

And being a learner and asking questions is so important.

It does actually remind me of what it's like to, to be a student again.

And I had, when I, when I student taught, I had Donna Wynn.

Now Donna Win, she.

She has passed away.

She was in a, in a hor.

Black car accident years ago, but just a phenomenal educator.

I just loved learning from her.

And one of the things that she always stressed with me is don't forget what it's like to be a learner.

Stay in touch with that side of yourself that don't ever think that you're good at, you're too good to be a learner and take that side of yourself for granted.

Because when you have to struggle sometimes or go through a learning process, you're able to connect with your students more than.

And relate and have empathy and compassion for the struggles that our students have.

And so I.

That.

She told me that, boy, 23 years ago.

No, 24 years ago.

She told me that 24 years ago.

And that has.

When I student taught, and that has stuck with me.

Donna Wynn telling me that make sure that I stay connected with what it's like to be a learner, and it will make me a better teacher.

So this year, boy, I feel like a learner in a lot of ways, asking a lot of questions and trying to learn things.

And.

And it's.

It's okay.

And.

And it reminds me once again of what it's like to feel like a student, that you don't have to be sure.

You.

You can sometimes feel overwhelmed, you can be curious about things, but it definitely makes me more empathetic and compassionate.

Every great teacher stays teachable.

Write that down.

It's going to be in a test.

Every great teacher stays.

Stays teachable, y'.

All.

The third big thing that I want to talk about here is to bring your heart with you.

Now, while I. I might have changed, changed school districts, I have a new school district.

I'm having to put new systems in place, but I'm bringing the same big heart, the same big passion, big inspirational drive to help young people be successful.

I'm bringing my.

My love for students, helping students thrive into my classroom.

So I'm bringing my heart with me.

No matter what the system or the district, your heart for kids must travel with you.

And I, I don't have to know every login or every procedure that our school district does, but I do know how to connect with students and families and work really hard bringing my heart into that.

The funky teacher spirit, the energy, the joy, the realness is still alive in me.

It was alive when I left my former school district.

It's alive in me as I come to this new school district and in a month in and bringing in with me and just.

It's an.

It's the forefront of everything that I do, the heart of what I do, bringing in my heart and passion for being a teacher.

There have been times now, there have been times where this year has felt clunky once again.

Learning new curricular resources across many multiple content areas Sometimes I'm.

I prepare for lessons, and I don't always feel prepared because, you know, if I'm.

I'm.

I just kind of want to see.

See how it goes in sometimes in some of these new curricula, resources, and they go clunky.

Sometimes clunky is the word of the day.

Right.

But that's okay because you work through some of that clunkiness, then refine it, and it gets smoother.

The next time when you reflect, it gets smoother, and that's okay.

All great teachers kind of go through that process.

So bottom line, though, I still show up and I still be, and I'm still present.

I'll tell my students, hey, you know what?

We're going to figure this out together.

Being honest with students, saying, hey, this is hard for me.

This is confusing to me.

I've not taught from this math program before.

I think that builds trust with the students because it makes me relatable when I'm honest, real and sincere with students and not trying to, like, pretend like I have everything figured out because I don't have to have everything figured out.

And some might argue, hey, fake it till you make it.

Yeah, I think, I mean, sure, that's fair enough.

You, that's fair enough and true to an extent, but I think there's still a realness in saying, hey, this is, this program that we're using, this part of.

It's a little confusing for me.

We'll work through it together, and it'll be okay, you know, and so we want to.

We want to try to build trust the best we can.

And some, you know, faking it till you make it can, hey, can do.

Can get you so far.

But still, students can still recognize if you're still struggling and, and, and see that something's not going quite right and just be honest with students.

So as we wrap things up here, starting over isn't just for new teachers.

You might start over in a new school district, in a new school, in a new classroom.

I mean, there's a lot of different ways that even in a new grade, there's a lot.

In a new subject, perhaps even there's a lot of ways that we could start over in education.

And it's just.

So it's not just for starting, starting over.

Going from college to teaching, that's just not the only starting fresh, starting new.

That's as educators, we sometimes have to start over or start and start new.

So starting over is for any teacher who's brave enough to stay open to learning and growing.

You don't need to bring everything from your past classroom either.

The one thing you have to bring, though, is bring your heart.

That's where the magic lives.

Systems will change.

Districts will change.

But the heart of a funky teacher, that stays strong.

Well, that brings this episode to a close.

I hope you found this episode valuable.

Now what you to remember to inspire greatness in young people.

And don't forget to be a funky teacher.

Bye now.

He's Mr. Funky Teacher, yeah he's Mr. Funky Teacher, oh, yeah, yeah.