In this episode, I reflect on one of the beliefs that has shaped my entire career: learning never stops. As I prepare to travel to Lincoln to help write science assessment items for the state of Nebraska, I’m reminded that even after more than two decades in education, I still have so much to learn.
I share how learning happens in many different places. Conferences, classrooms, family experiences, travel, podcasts, outdoor adventures, and conversations all continue teaching me important lessons. Some of the most meaningful learning in life happens far beyond a traditional classroom.
I also reflect on the connection between curiosity, humility, and growth. Experience matters, but experience alone is not enough. Great educators continue reading, asking questions, listening, reflecting, and remaining open to new perspectives.
As I look ahead, I’m grateful that I have not figured everything out. Learning keeps life interesting, keeps us humble, and helps us become better educators, parents, leaders, and people. The goal is not to arrive. The goal is to keep growing.
Show Notes
Preparing to write state science assessments
Why great teachers remain learners
Lessons from conferences and experiences
Students and family members as teachers
The relationship between humility and growth
Staying curious throughout life
Key Takeaways
Learning does not end when school ends.
Experience matters, but curiosity drives growth.
Some of life’s greatest lessons happen outside classrooms.
Humility creates room for continued learning.
The goal is not arrival—the goal is growth.
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 Summer Check-In 3: Learning Never Stops.
One of the things I’ve always loved about education is that it gives us opportunities to keep learning.
As I record this episode, I’m preparing to head to Lincoln, Nebraska, where I’ll spend part of a week helping write science assessment items for the state of Nebraska.
After more than two decades in education, you might think I would have everything figured out by now.
Trust me, I don’t.
In fact, one of the things I appreciate most about education is that it constantly and consistently reminds me how much there is still to learn.
This summer alone has taught me a lot.
The PLC conference in Las Vegas taught me things.
The Boundary Waters taught me things.
My students taught me things this past year.
My children are always teaching me things.
My wife teaches me things.
And the people around me—the people I care about and love—I’m always learning from them.
Life continues teaching lessons if we’re willing to pay attention.
Before we get into it, 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 public libraries.
Libraries are one of the greatest gifts a community can provide.
They are places where people can learn, explore, discover, and grow.
Regardless of background.
Regardless of income.
Learning remains available.
And that’s a beautiful thing.
The second thing that I’m thankful for is podcasts.
Some of the best learning I do happens while I’m driving down the road, mowing the lawn, exercising, or paddleboarding.
Podcasts have introduced me to ideas and people I never would have encountered otherwise.
I love podcasts.
I love listening to podcasts.
The third thing that I’m thankful for is curious people.
The people who keep asking questions.
The people who keep growing.
The people who never stop exploring.
Those are the kinds of people who inspire me.
So let’s get back into the main topic.
The topic, once again, is learning never stops.
I think one of the biggest misconceptions people have is that learning ends when school ends.
Or maybe when college ends.
Or maybe when you become experienced in your profession.
I don’t think that’s true at all.
In fact, some of the most important learning happens after those things.
The day we think we’ve arrived is often the day we stop growing.
I don’t ever want to stop growing.
Great teachers remain learners.
The best educators I’ve ever met have one thing in common.
They’re still learning.
They’re still reading.
They’re still asking questions.
They’re still looking for ways to improve.
They never stop being students.
Experience is valuable, but curiosity keeps us growing.
Experience teaches us a lot.
More than 20 years in education has taught me many lessons.
But curiosity is what keeps growth alive.
Curiosity keeps us open to new ideas.
New perspectives.
New possibilities.
Conferences remind us that we’re not done learning.
One reason I enjoy attending conferences is because they challenge my thinking.
The PLC conference in Las Vegas wasn’t just about collecting strategies.
It was about reflecting on what matters most in schools.
I left with plenty to think about.
Learning happens outside classrooms too.
The Boundary Waters trip my family took taught me things.
Paddleboarding this summer teaches me things.
River surfing teaches me things.
Travel teaches me things.
Conversations teach me things.
Some of life’s greatest lessons happen outside traditional classrooms.
Students are teachers too.
One of the reasons I still love teaching is because students constantly teach me.
They challenge assumptions.
They offer new perspectives.
They remind me to keep growing.
Expertise should create humility.
The longer I work in education, the more I realize how much I still don’t know.
Honestly, that’s okay.
Humility creates room for growth.
Lifelong learners stay engaged.
People who continue learning tend to stay energized.
They stay curious.
They stay interested in the world around them.
Learning keeps life interesting.
For me, at least, it does.
I hope it does for you as well.
Growth requires intentionality.
Nobody accidentally becomes a lifelong learner.
It takes effort.
Reading.
Listening.
Reflecting.
Trying new things.
Growth requires intentional choices.
Every season teaches something.
This summer has taught me things.
This past school year taught me things.
My family teaches me things.
Every season has lessons if we’re willing to pay attention.
The goal isn’t arrival.
Sometimes people imagine there is a point where they finally have everything figured out.
I don’t think that day ever comes.
The goal isn’t arrival.
The goal is growth.
And growth is a lifelong journey.
As I close and prepare to spend time in Lincoln working alongside other educators, I’m reminded of something important.
I still have a lot to learn.
Honestly, I’m grateful for that.
Learning keeps life interesting.
Learning keeps us humble.
Learning keeps us growing.
And learning helps us become better educators, parents, leaders, and human beings.
So wherever you are in your journey, stay curious.
Ask questions.
Explore ideas.
Try new things.
Keep learning.
Because the day we stop learning is the day we stop growing.
And I still have a lot of growing left to do.
Well, if you found value in this episode, head over to Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen to your podcasts and leave a five-star review.
Let me know what you think.
It helps more teachers find this space.
As you go into your day, remember to inspire greatness in young people.
