Winning the lottery

      Winning the lottery is something only a few get to experience, and many dream of experiencing.  As a lucky lottery winner myself, I am leaving behind teaching to travel the world and chase my own dreams.  As I walk out of the classroom for the very last time, I feel compelled to make sure that my students are left in good hands.  My replacement is new to teaching and has asked me for one specific piece of advice.  After careful consideration, I responded, "Take it one day at a time, making sure the next day is better than the previous."
     As we all know, giving only one piece of advice when it comes to teaching feels incomplete.  With all the various aspects from classroom management, lesson planning, laboratory management to handling behavioral disruptions to the numerous other aspects can easily become overwhelming and stressful.  Teaching is not a profession that is mastered immediately, or possibly even ever.  Continue to grow as an instructor and an individual and remember that you can't be perfect everyday, but you can try.  Bon voyage, best of luck!