My core beliefs haven’t changed all that much over the years. What has changed is the way I carry them.
Earlier in life, I was far more activist-minded. I felt a responsibility to speak, to push, to persuade. Over time, that posture became exhausting, and I eventually realized that not every conviction needs a megaphone to be faithfully held.
Now that I’m teaching, I see my role very differently. I don’t believe it’s my job to pass along my political views—overtly or subtly—to the students in front of me. Young minds don’t need to be steered; they need to be equipped. My obligation is to instruct, to model critical thinking, to ask better questions than I answer, and to give students the tools they’ll need to sort through a complicated world on their own.
If they’re observant, they’ll probably pick up on things anyway. That’s unavoidable. But indoctrination has never been the goal. Formation is. And there’s a meaningful difference between the two.
Copyright © 2025 Doug DeBolt.
Glad you’re doing it this way…don’t even know which side you’re on, but I wish more teachers were like you!