u/Unfair_Mammoth_6620

I’m teaching AP World History: Modern for the first time next year, and my only in-state training just got canceled. What the heck do I do now? How do I prepare? I just want to do a good job next year. Any advice is appreciated.

Hi, I teach high school U.S. History in KY, and I need some advice. I’m several years in now, and despite what the standards say, I’ve always started teaching chronologically at the Washington administration or earlier.

However, I always feel rushed and like I never have time to focus on skills or just enjoying the history. I’m tempted to start at the standards next year + an intro reconstruction unit, but I worry that the students won’t have enough context to start at 1866-1877. Also, if I do start post-civil war, what should my Unit 0 look like? What should be set-up so that the kids don’t feel completely lost starting in the “middle?”

Finally, how do I move past the feeling that I’m skipping all of this super important history that these kids will be missing?

Any helpful advice would be much appreciated.

Hey everyone,

I’m in a bit of a weird (but honestly, kind of good?) place spiritually right now and was hoping to get some thoughtful input.

For context, I grew up in a Southern Baptist environment and stepped away from it about 6 years ago. A lot of that had to do with the culture more than just theology: things like politics, lack of accountability, and some personal experiences that made it hard to stay. Since then, I’ve been slowly trying to figure out where I land.

Recently, I visited a Catholic parish near me and… I didn’t expect this, but I was really drawn to it. The liturgy, the sense of reverence, the community. It felt like something I’ve been missing for a long time. It didn’t feel performative or overly polished. It felt grounded and real. That said, I’m also running into some real tension. There are a few areas where I just don’t currently agree with official Catholic teaching:

LGBTQ relationships (I don’t view them as sinful)

Birth control (this one is especially hard for me to understand in a modern context)

I’m not trying to be dismissive or rebellious about these. I’ve actually spent a lot of time reading, thinking, and trying to understand the Church’s perspective. I just… don’t land there right now.

At the same time, I don’t feel comfortable just going back to a local Protestant church either. Most of the ones around me are pretty conservative, and I know from experience that I’d likely run into a different set of issues that I’m not willing to revisit.

So I feel a bit stuck between:

A church I’m deeply drawn to, but don’t fully agree with, and churches I might agree with a bit more on paper, but don’t feel at home in

I guess my main question is:

Is there actually space within Catholicism for someone in this position? Not someone trying to argue or push an agenda, but someone who is genuinely seeking, open, and trying to be honest about where they are? I’m not looking to be told “just submit” or “just leave.”

I’m more interested in hearing from people who have either been in a similar place, stayed and found a way to live with the tension, or decided it ultimately wasn’t workable and why.

I’d really appreciate thoughtful, respectful perspectives either way. I’m trying to approach this in good faith and just figure out where I can grow without feeling like I’m forcing myself into something that isn’t honest.

Thanks in advance.

Raised protestant(29M), and have been out of church for several years. I’ve recently felt pulled back to the faith. Tips and advice on how to re-engage and restart the practice of prayer and Bible reading. Everything just feels so awkward and without guidance.