This is Mr. Funky Teacher with BeAFunkyTeacher.com. I'm coming to you with another Be a Funky Teacher podcast. I’m going to start this podcast off with three things I am thankful for today as I reflect on the last twenty-four hours. First, I am thankful for my working Toyota RAV4 with almost 200,000 miles on it. I bought it from my cousin, and while it’s nothing fancy, it gets me where I need to go. It hauls my gear, gets me to and from my new school in Winnebago, and it’s become a little adventure mobile for me. Second, I’m thankful for laughter with the new staff yesterday. It was my first official day of the 2025–2026 school year, but in a brand-new school district. Meeting fellow new staff members and sharing laughter reminded me that nothing builds trust faster than joy. I can already tell these colleagues are in it for the right reasons, and I’m excited to learn and grow alongside them. Third, I’m thankful for screws—yes, screws. They helped me build some rolling platforms so I can move things around my classroom easily. I’ve built many things over the years, but last night I really appreciated how something so small can make a space more functional. Sometimes it’s the smallest things—a vehicle, a laugh, or a handful of screws—that end up being the most meaningful. I’m trying to start every podcast with three things I’m thankful for. My mom, Peggy Kleve, always talked about gratitude, and she encouraged me to think about what I’m thankful for each day. As I begin this new school year, I want to lean into that more—being humble, grateful, and grounded. Now, the theme of today’s podcast is why every teacher should start the year with a community tour. Yesterday we toured the Winnebago community. We loaded into a van and drove around the reservation and the neighborhoods where our students live. This wasn’t about seeing the streets—it was about understanding the story, culture, and history that shape our students’ lives. Before we expect students to learn from us, we need to learn from them. That begins with understanding where they come from and what matters to their community. As we drove around, we saw kids waving, and others who ran inside when they saw the school van—“Nope, not ready yet!” It made me smile. In just a few days, these will be the students in our classrooms, ready or not, and we’ll take them as they are. That tour was powerful. Why don’t all schools do this? Community-based professional development matters, especially for teachers who don’t live in the community. It gives us context, empathy, and understanding. Even in my years in South Sioux City, the times I visited students’ homes or neighborhoods—during conferences or during COVID wave-parades—those were meaningful moments of connection. Our tour guide yesterday lives in the community. She is deeply invested in the school district, and her pride in Winnebago was inspiring. Hearing her describe neighborhoods, share local terminology, and talk about families helped me better understand the place my students call home. Some houses even had chickens wandering around. One had a pig. Seeing that helped paint a picture of daily life here. Knowing this helps me connect more authentically with my students. This kind of experience changes teaching. It reminds us that education is a community effort—not just what happens inside classroom walls. It takes a village, and visiting the community helps us see that village clearly. It also sets the tone for new staff members. As a veteran teacher new to the district, the tour reminded me that this is not just my classroom—it’s part of a bigger community that cares deeply about its children. Seeing where our students come from teaches us more than strategies—it teaches us soul. If your school does not offer something like this, create your own version. Ask your principal if this is possible for staff. If not, do your own community walk—attend local events, drive through the neighborhoods, talk to families. Find a way to connect. Ask yourself: What is one way you can connect to your students’ community this week? Community connection builds truly authentic classrooms. If we want to inspire greatness in young people, we have to know where they’re coming from—see it, feel it, and honor it. So with that being said, remember to inspire greatness in young people. And don’t forget to be a funky teacher. Bye now.