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 This Is the Teacher I Choose to Be. Over time, teaching has a way of shaping you through experiences, through challenges, through moments that go really well and moments that don’t. And at some point, whether we realize it or not, we begin to make decisions about who we are going to be in the classroom. Not based on a checklist. Not based on a system. But based on what we believe matters. Because the truth is, there are a lot of ways to teach, but not all of them reflect who you want to be. And at some point, we have to decide. 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 moms. I miss my mom. I know my wife has been missing her mom as well. And it just reminds me how much moms do. The care, the love, the steadiness. I’m really thankful for moms and the impact they make. The second thing that I’m thankful for is my older son. His calm energy, his friendliness, and the depth of his care for others. It reminds me to slow down and not get too caught up or tense. That calm presence matters. And the third thing that I’m thankful for is silly fun props in the classroom. Those little things that bring joy, laughter, and energy into the room matter more than we sometimes realize. They help create moments that students remember. All right, let’s get into it. The topic we are focusing on is this is the teacher I choose to be. There are a lot of pressures in teaching. Pressure to cover content. Pressure to manage behavior. Pressure to meet expectations from different directions. And if we’re not careful, those pressures can start to define how we teach instead of us defining it ourselves. But there comes a point where you step back and ask, who do I actually want to be as a teacher? Not what’s easiest. Not what’s expected. But what actually reflects what I believe. I choose to see students first. Before content. Before behavior. Before anything else. I choose to see students as people first. With stories. With experiences. With things going on in their lives that I may not always fully understand. That choice changes how I respond. I choose to lead with respect. Respect is not something students have to earn first. It’s something I choose to give. In how I speak. In how I listen. In how I respond. Especially in difficult moments. Because respect builds trust. And trust builds classrooms. I choose to stay calm when it’s hard. There will be moments that test patience. Moments that feel frustrating. Moments where it would be easier to react. But I choose to stay grounded. To take a breath. To respond in a way that keeps the situation from escalating. That choice matters. I choose connection over control. It can be tempting to focus on control and compliance. But I choose connection. Because when students feel connected, everything else becomes more possible. I choose to hold high expectations. Choosing heart does not mean lowering expectations. It means holding them with purpose. I believe students are capable. I believe they can grow. And I choose to challenge them in ways that help them see that in themselves. I choose to keep learning. I don’t have everything figured out. I won’t pretend to. I choose to keep learning. To reflect. To adjust. To stay open to new ideas and better ways to reach students. I choose to be authentic. Students don’t need a version of me trying to fit a mold. They need me to be real. To be human. That authenticity builds connection in powerful ways. I choose to bring energy and joy. Even on tough days. Moments of lightness matter. They break tension. They build connection. They create memories. I choose to keep perspective. Not every moment defines the day. Not every day defines the year. I choose to zoom out. To remember the bigger picture. To remember that growth takes time. And I choose this work. I choose to be here. To keep showing up. To keep investing in students. Even when it’s hard. This is the teacher I choose to be. As I close, I want to say this. There are a lot of influences in teaching. A lot of expectations. A lot of pressures. But in the middle of all of that, there is still a choice. A choice in how you show up. A choice in how you respond. A choice in who you decide to be in the classroom. And when you make that choice intentionally, it shapes everything. 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. And as you go into your day, remember to inspire greatness in young people. And don’t forget to be a funky teacher. Bye now.