My Classroom Is A Wreck: What Of It?

Recently, I attended a talk with Nadia Bolz Weber.  Her talk was interesting, and I especially enjoyed the Q&A at the end.  It was during that time that she mentioned a guiding philosophy of hers:
Anti-Excellence and Pro-Participation.
It is not about doing everything perfectly.  It is not about crossing every T and dotting every I.  Nope, not at all actually.  It is about showing up, doing your best, having an open heart, and getting into the spirit of things.

As a teacher, this really speaks to me, for many reasons.  I hope that it is not only because I feel like it confirms my (already held) belief that details are over rated.  Though, I am sure that is true to an extent.  I think it is more that I am all about the spirit of things.  It is not that I love messiness, but life is messy, and big messes are inevitable - especially in a public school classroom.

Some years ago, an administrator walked into my classroom (which is a complete wreck: paper, art supplies, costumes, and speaker wires are all strewn about), and inquired about the mess.  I responded that we are always busy in here - trying to create, inspire, and go big.  He wondered if the clutter and disorder set a poor example for students.  I was not sure how to answer that question at the time.  But I think that Anti-excellence, and Pro-participation is my answer now.  It is not that I am trying to create a messy classroom, but I am absolutely trying to create a busy classroom, full of energy - and (most importantly) full of spirit. Artists' studios are cluttered, stages are destroyed when the band strikes the final chord, and there is grease in the mechanic's garage.  Making things, performing things, and fixing things take commitment.  In my class, we participate - but we are not always excellent.

But anti-excellence and pro-participation is NOT about settling for mediocrity.  On the contrary, I argue that it is about setting your sights high, and going big - to the best of your ability.  And just take the hits that inevitably will come at you.  Just show up, and surrender to the spirit of what you are doing.  Clean up the mess when it is done.  Or don't clean it up.  Who cares?  Just leave it all on the field, and rest easy with the knowledge that you gave it your all, messy or not.