This is Mr. Funky Teacher with BeAFunkyTeacher.com. I’m coming to you with the very first episode of the Be a Funky Teacher podcast. I am on my way south. I got in my car this morning and headed south. I do have two hands on the steering wheel—hands free—recording this podcast and kicking off this summer’s journey of podcasting while heading to a very big conference down south. I’m not driving all the way to Florida. I’m driving to Omaha, Nebraska, where I will jump on an airplane, land after a few hours in St. Louis, Missouri, and then fly down to Orlando, Florida. Two planes to get me to sunny Orlando, where I will be attending the National Network of State Teachers of the Year National Conference. That’s right—the 2025 National Conference in Orlando, Florida. Their theme is Ignite Magic. How exciting is that? It’s at the Disney Yacht Resort. I am so excited to be heading south. It feels fitting that I’m kicking off this podcast on the way to my own little journey. I love going on adventures and having experiences, and why not kick off a big podcast while on a journey myself? If you’re tuning in, you might be wondering what this conference is all about. I have an opportunity to attend and present twice at this conference—once with a solo presentation about how every educator can be a funky teacher, and once with a fellowship I’m part of. It’s a national civics fellowship that I’ll talk about in future podcasts. A group of us fellows will be doing a presentation and sharing the work we’ve been doing. This fellowship is one of the big reasons I’m even able to attend. I’ve never been to this national conference. I wanted to go years ago when it was in Minneapolis, but that was during the COVID year and it ended up going digital. I couldn’t attend because of the circumstances. Now I’m back and grateful. Not only do I get to present twice, but I also get to meet some of the best educators in the country. I looked at the conference app and saw the list of attendees—top-notch, highly respected educators. I’m excited to meet them, talk with them, and learn from them. I’m excited to go to other presentations and connect with people I’ve met through different fellowships. I love education. I love teaching, I love talking about education, and I love learning with others who are passionate about it. This conference is a chance for all of us to learn, grow, and take that knowledge back to our states, communities, and classrooms. This podcast is about community. It’s about learning from one another. I’m not here to complain or focus on what’s wrong in education. We know there are challenges, but focusing only on what’s wrong isn’t helpful. I want to uplift educators, celebrate education, celebrate students, and celebrate teachers. Teachers are doing so much good to inspire greatness in young people. That’s what this is about. Today the conference kicks off. It’s around two in the morning as I’m driving on the interstate. I didn’t sleep much—maybe an hour—because I was so excited. If you’re attending the conference, maybe you’re feeling that adrenaline too. If you’re not attending, maybe it’s a conference you’ll want to consider in the future. I’m not getting anything for promoting it. I just like to share things I think are meaningful. I haven’t even arrived yet and I already feel the energy. With that, I’m going to bring this first episode to a close. I want you to remember to be a funky teacher and inspire greatness in young people. Thank you. Bye now.