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 Choosing Heart Every Day. There are a lot of things in teaching that we don’t control. We don’t control every student behavior. We don’t control every system decision. We don’t control every challenge that walks through our classroom door. But there is something we do control. And that’s how we show up. The mindset we bring. The tone we set. The way we respond in moments that could go a lot of different directions. At the core of that is a choice. A choice to lead with heart. Not just on the easy days, but on the days when it takes more effort. 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 my fifth grade teaching team. The people who work alongside me day to day matter. Having a team that supports each other, shares ideas, and works together makes a huge difference. I’m incredibly thankful for them. The second thing that I’m thankful for is powerful learning resources. Whether it’s a lesson plan, a tool, or something that helps students understand content more deeply, those resources strengthen our teaching and give students better opportunities to learn. And the third thing that I’m thankful for is my daughter and who she is. Her drive, her heart, and her desire to make the world a better place matter. Watching that grow is something I’m incredibly grateful for. All right, let’s get into it. The topic is choosing heart every day. There are moments in teaching where you can feel yourself at a crossroads. A student says something disrespectful. A lesson isn’t going well. The energy in the room starts to shift. And in that moment, you have a choice. You can react or you can respond. You can shut down or you can lean in. You can go through the motions or you can choose heart. That choice does not always feel easy. But it matters. Choosing heart is not automatic. It doesn’t just happen by accident. It is a conscious decision, especially in moments where frustration is building. Choosing heart means pausing just long enough to decide how you want to show up instead of reacting in the moment. Choosing heart shows up in how you respond. Not just your words, but your tone, your body language, your presence. In a tense moment, choosing heart might look like lowering your voice instead of raising it. Listening instead of interrupting. Responding calmly when everything around you feels chaotic. Choosing heart requires slowing down. That is one of the hardest things to do in teaching. But that pause creates space. It allows you to lead instead of react. Choosing heart means seeing the student first. When behavior happens, it is easy to focus on the action. But choosing heart means looking beyond that. Asking, what might be going on here? What does this student need right now? That shift changes everything. Choosing heart does not mean lowering expectations. It does not mean letting things slide. You can hold students accountable and still lead with heart. In fact, students respond better when they feel both supported and challenged. Both matter. Choosing heart shows up in consistency. It is not about one moment. It is about showing up day after day with the same commitment. Even when energy is low. Even when things feel difficult. That consistency builds trust. It builds relationships. Students begin to feel safe. They begin to open up. Choosing heart impacts the whole classroom. It is not just about one student. It sets the tone for the entire room. Students notice. And over time, they begin to mirror that same approach with each other. Choosing heart requires energy and intention. It is not always easy. Especially on long days or during tough weeks. But being intentional helps you stay grounded. Choosing heart is a daily choice. It is something you choose again and again. Every day. Every class. Every moment. And over time, those choices shape the kind of teacher you become. As I close, I want to say this. Teaching gives us a lot of moments. Some easy. Some challenging. But in each moment, we have a choice. A choice in how we respond. A choice in how we show up. And when we choose heart consistently over time, it shapes our classrooms. It shapes our relationships. And it shapes the impact we have on students. If you found value in this episode, head on over to Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen to your podcast and leave a five star review. It helps more teachers find this space. As you go into your day, remember to inspire greatness in young people. And don’t forget to be a funky teacher.