I can’t help smiling as I look at a recent photo I snapped of my miniature bull, Fergus, standing proudly in the doorway of my chicken coop like he owns the place. He’s got that “What? Me?” look on his face, completely unaware (or maybe fully aware) of the surprise he left behind during his little inspection tour.
Sometimes my classroom feels exactly like my chicken coop.
I’d spent the morning doing some much-needed spring cleaning—scooping, scrubbing, feeling that sweet sense of accomplishment wash over me as the coop became tidy and fresh. Task complete, I turned my back for a second… and that’s when Fergus decided it was the perfect time to wander in and “help.” By the time I looked back, there he was, peeking out with those big curious eyes. I cracked up—until I spotted his generous “gift” right in the middle of my freshly cleaned space. One smiling pile of poo, and my perfect morning felt completely derailed.
Sound familiar?
In the classroom, it happens all the time. You pour your heart into an amazing lesson—carefully planned, timed just right, full of energy and intention. The kids are engaged, the flow is beautiful… and then one pithy comment, one ill-timed outburst, one unexpected “Fergus moment” lands right in the middle of it all. In an instant, your sense of accomplishment gets a little tainted.
It’s in those exact moments that we get to choose: Are we going to cry… or are we going to crack up?
In both my coop and my classroom, I choose to crack up.
These messy, unexpected interruptions aren’t just annoyances—they’re character builders. For us as teachers, and for the little flock we’re guiding. Those “cracks” shine a light on exactly where we can focus to grow stronger and build deeper confidence. Just like a cracked eggshell in the coop needs gentle handling and special attention, when our kids show their cracks—whether it’s frustration, a silly outburst, or a moment of struggle—it’s an invitation. An opportunity to lean in with extra care, teach a new skill, and help strengthen what’s forming beneath the surface.
Yes, the moments can feel challenging in the heat of it. But when we choose to see them as opportunities rather than disasters, something beautiful happens. Frustration in the moment often turns into the best stories and the richest learning later on.
After laughing at Fergus (and muttering a few choice words under my breath), I put my gloves back on, cleaned up the mess, and finished the job (making sure to close the door). It took a little longer than planned, sure. But in the end, I still had a clean coop… and one heck of a great story to tell.
That’s the thing about cracked eggs—and surprise cow patties in the chicken coop. They don’t ruin the day unless we let them. They remind us to handle things with care, a sense of humor, and the confidence that we’ve got what it takes to turn the mess into something meaningful.
So tell me, friend—do you have a “Fergus” story from your classroom? One of those moments that threw everything off track but later became the thing you look back on and laugh about… or even learn the most from? I’d love to hear it. Drop it in the comments or send me a note. We’re all navigating coops and classrooms together, after all—cracks, gifts, and all.
Here’s to choosing laughter, leaning into the unexpected, and watching character grow in the most surprising places.
If you’ve got a miniature bull (or a classroom equivalent) keeping things interesting today, remember: the clean coop (or successful lesson) is still waiting on the other side of the mess. You’ve got this.
