Hard Lessons and the Virtues of Accountability

I’m hard on my students. They know it, and I don’t deny it. I push them to think critically, to write clearly, to defend their arguments with evidence, and to own their successes—and their failures. I hold them accountable, always.

I am not the kind of teacher who seeks to soften expectations, prioritize comfort over challenge, or ensure that every student feels successful. My students do not float through my class on a cushion of leniency. They struggle. They get frustrated. At times, they feel overwhelmed. But they also learn, grow, and develop the virtues that will serve them long after they leave my classroom.

Hard work and accountability are not outdated concepts. They are timeless virtues. When a student turns in a sloppy paper, I hand it back and tell them to do better. When they try to argue without evidence, I challenge them to think more deeply. When they fail, I only encourage them to work harder.

But here’s what my students come to understand: my high expectations are not about being harsh for the sake of it. They’re about respect. I respect them enough to demand their best. I believe they are capable of excellence, and I will not lower the bar just to make life easier for them. They don’t always like it in the moment, but they appreciate it in the end.

I have students who come back years later and tell me that my class was the first place they learned what it meant to work hard. That it was the first time they were held accountable for their own success or failure. That it prepared them for the real world in ways they never expected.

That’s why I teach the way I do. Because history isn’t just about dates and events—it’s about learning the lessons that shape character. It’s about developing a rigorous work ethic. It’s about grit. And if my students leave my classroom knowing that their effort, integrity, and perseverance matter, then I’ve done my job.

With compliments,

Keith