Teaching Philosophy Statement

My teaching philosophy is a combination of idealism, realism, and critical social theory.

It is important to me that I encourage individual intellectual growth, teach the capable person,
challenge and critique society, the status quo, and dominant oppressors, as well as instruct
students for social justice to behave politically (Poetter, 2014, pp. 159-160).
I believe the teacher is seen as an authority figure, and explicitly teaches traditional
values (p. 159). Although I believe some of this to be true, this should not be the only means of
authority and ways of teaching. The curriculum is focused on reading, writing, and mathematics,
as well as science, history, and foreign language. This includes students learning skills, and
mastering concepts that are essential in life and in school subjects (p. 159). For example, I
support the common core, in the sense that I believe it gives guidelines for important concepts
and skills that students should learn in each grade.
I believe students have control of their education. Teachers direct students to make
personal decisions and judgments. Students learn to become responsible for their own actions
and appreciate what makes them unique. Curriculum is based of student interest and allows for
each student to learn differently from one another. This allows for a variety of learning styles
and differentiated instruction, whether this take place in whole group, small group, or one-on-one
instruction (pp. 159-160).
I believe the teacher uses his or her conscious to act as a social vehicle of change for
students. The curriculum allows for criticism and action to take place in the norms of society.
This includes analyzing how the world functions with privilege, and the awareness of
disabilities, sexuality, race, class, and gender (p. 160). Students can be critical thinkers, and

analyze concepts of this world. Critical Theory permits students to voice opinions and listen to
others.
My philosophy includes idealism, realism, and critical social theory because I believe
there needs to be a balance of all three. Students need to see teachers as an authority figure that
cares deeply about them. Teachers need to teach students the basic subjects, as well as how to
become critical thinkers that analyze notions of this world. Teachers also need to differentiate
instruction that is based on student interest.

References
Poetter, Thomas S. (2014) Teacher Leadership for the Twenty First Century (2nd ed.),
Curriculum Perspectives (pp. 159-160). Cincinnati, OH. Van-Griner Publishing.