Against the backdrop of our country's current political climate, the author sometimes wonder if he is doing his job as a high school history teacher to the best of his ability. He doesn't see his role as simply covering what's in the textbook or helping students analyze current events. Rather, he believes it's his professional responsibility--his civic duty-- to teach students the democratic ideals necessary for an enlightened citizenry. By helping them learn to make a valid claim, marshal evidence in support of it, and critique others' views, he is imparting to students some of the real-world knowledge and skills they will need to succeed not only in college and in career but also in an increasingly uncertain world.