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Handouts on how to write a Philosophy of Education

The Philosophy of Education Statement is an important piece in your educator portfolio. It may be requested by hiring
personnel at schools to be included with a cover letter and resume. Your teaching philosophy should be thoughtful,
organized and well written. The summary should be between 1-2 pages and should document and support your core
educational principles.

First, state your objectives as a teacher. These need to be achievable through some form of assessment.

Second, you will want to outline the methods by which you will achieve your teaching objectives.

Third, you will need to have demonstrated evidence of your achievements. This may take the form of standardized
assessments or evaluations.

Fourth, allude to the factors that motivate you to be in the teaching profession. This is where you can be cerebral. State
what motivates you to be in the teaching profession.

Some Important Considerations

Your core values and beliefs

The statement should reflect your core values and beliefs in terms of teaching. Consider your thoughts regarding the
nature of children, the purpose of education and how people learn, and the role of teacher. As you develop your
educational philosophy, think about completing the following statements:
I believe the purposes of education are ...
I believe that students learn best when...
I believe that the following curriculum basics will contribute to the social, emotional, intellectual and physical
development of my students ...
I believe that a good learning environment is one in which ...
I believe that all students have the following basic needs ...
In order to further the growth and learning of my students, these basic needs will be met in my classroom through ...
I believe that teachers should have the following qualities ...
Why You Teach
What is the purpose of education?
What is your role as an educator?
Whom You Teach
How will you reach the diverse children in your classroom?
How do you define your community of learners?
How and What You Teach
What are your beliefs about how children learn?
How will your beliefs affect your teaching? Think about management, instructional strategies, curriculum design, and
assessment
How do you balance the needs of the individual learner with the needs of the classroom community?
What are your goals for students?
How will you bring a global awareness to your classroom?
What will be your relationship with the community, parents, teaching colleagues, and administration?
Components of a Teaching Philosophy Statement

A teaching philosophy statement should include an introduction, body, and conclusion—just as you would expect of
your students if they were writing a paper. But there are specific components that you need to include in any such
statement:

Introduction: This should be your thesis statement where you discuss your general belief about education (such as: "I
believe all students have a right to learn") as well as your ideals in relation to teaching. You should "begin with the end,"
says James M. Lang in an Aug. 29, 2010, article titled, "4 Steps to a Memorable Teaching Philosophy" published in "The
Chronicle of Higher Education." Lang says you should consider what the students will have learned once they depart
your class, after having been guided by your teaching philosophy and strategies.

Body: In this part of the statement, discuss what you see as the ideal classroom environment and how it makes you a
better teacher, addresses student needs, and facilitates parent/child interactions. Discuss how you would facilitate age-
appropriate learning, and how you involve students in the assessment process. Explain how you would put your
educational ideals into practice.

Lang says that you should clearly state your goals and objectives for students. Layout specifically what you hope your
teaching will help students to accomplish. Be specific by telling a story or offering "a detailed description of an
innovative or interesting teaching strategy you have used," says Lang. Doing so, helps your reader understand how your
teaching philosophy would play out in the classroom.

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Conclusion: In this section, talk about your goals as a teacher, how you have been able to meet them in the past, and
how you can build on these to meet future challenges. Focus on your personal approach to pedagogy and classroom
management, as well as what makes you unique as an educator, and how you wish to advance your career to further
support education.

Lang notes that, while you don't need to use official citation style, you should cite your sources. Explain where your
teaching philosophy originated—for example, from your experiences as an undergraduate, from a faculty mentor you
worked with during your teacher-training program, or perhaps from books or articles on teaching that had a particular
influence on you.

Some general rules to follow when writing a teaching philosophy statement

1. Keep it brief. The statement should be no more than one to two pages, according to the Ohio State University Center
for the Advancement of Teaching.
2. Use present tense, and write the statement in the first person, as the previous examples illustrate.
3. Avoid jargon. Use common, everyday language, not "technical terms," the university advises.
4.Create a "vivid portrait" that includes "strategies and methods ... (to help) your reader take a mental 'peek' into your
classroom," adds the Ohio State University Center for the Advancement of Teaching.
5. Additionally, make sure you talk about "your experiences and your beliefs" and ensure your statement is original and
truly describes the methods and philosophy you would employ in teaching, the university adds.
10 Questions to Ask Yourself to Design Your Educational Philosophy

By Beth Lewis Updated May 04, 2019 https://www.thoughtco.com/design-your-educational-philosophy-2081733

While going through their own education, teachers are tasked with developing an educational philosophy, which is a
teacher's personal statement detailing her guiding principles about such education-related issues as how students learn
best, as well as the role of educators in the classroom, school, community, and society.

The educational philosophy statement is an essential document because it conveys your most personal thoughts and
beliefs on education. This philosophy serves an important role in the lives of many educators and can be a tool to help
you not only craft your teachings but also help you find a job and further your career.

Educational Philosophy Basics

An educational philosophy refers to a teacher's vision of the grander purpose of education and its role in society.

Educational philosophy questions involve such issues as a teacher's vision of her role as a teacher, her view of how
students learn best, and her basic goals for her students.

Questions to Consider

When writing your educational philosophy statement, think about not just your classroom management style but also
your beliefs on education. From differentiated learning and teaching styles to the role of the teacher in the classroom,
consider the following questions to help you frame your philosophy. Suggested answers follow each question.

1. What do you believe is the grander purpose of education in a society and community? You might answer that you
believe education is a pivotal driver of change, advancement, and equality in society.
2. What, specifically, is the role of the teacher in the classroom? The role of a teacher is to use classroom instruction and
presentations to help students learn and apply concepts in math, English, and science.
3. How do you believe students learn best? Students learn best in a warm and supportive environment where they feel
the teacher truly cares about them and their success.
4. In general, what are your goals for your students? A teacher's primary goals are to help students figure out who they
are and how they can be of service to their community.
5. What qualities do you believe an effective teacher should have? An effective teacher needs to have a basic
sociocultural awareness of and acceptance of his own and others' cultural identities.
6. Do you believe that all students can learn? A good teacher certainly believes that each student can learn; the key is
understanding what educational methods work best for each student and then catering instruction to each student's
individual needs.
7. What do teachers owe their students? Teachers owe passion to their students—a passion for the subjects they teach,
their instruction, and a desire to help students succeed.
8. What is your overall goal as a teacher? The overall goal for a teacher is multifaceted: to make learning fun and inspire
students to find a love of learning; to create an organized classroom; to ensure that expectations are clear and grading is
fair, and to incorporate the best available teaching strategies.
9. How do you create an inclusive learning environment? Students come from a variety of socioeconomic and
demographic backgrounds and can vary greatly in cognitive ability and learning styles. A teacher needs to strive to
incorporate instructional methods that consider all of the varied backgrounds and learning abilities of students.
10. How do you incorporate new techniques, activities, and types of learning into your teaching? A teacher should stay
abreast of the latest educational research and incorporate best-practice methods into his instructional methods and
strategies. (Best practice refers to existing practices that possess a high level of widely agreed effectiveness.)
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Sample Educational Philosophy Statements

A full philosophy statement should include an introductory paragraph, along with at least four additional paragraphs; it
is essentially an essay. The introductory paragraph states the author's point of view, while the other paragraphs discuss
the kind of classroom the author would like to provide, the teaching style the author would like to use, the way the
author would facilitate learning so that students are engaged, and the author's overall goal as a teacher.

The body of your educational philosophy statement might include a statement like this:

"I believe that a teacher is morally obligated to enter the classroom with only the highest of expectations for each and
every one of her students. Thus, the teacher maximizes the positive benefits that naturally come along with any self-
fulfilling prophecy; with dedication, perseverance, and hard work, her students will rise to the occasion.

"I aim to bring an open mind, a positive attitude, and high expectations to the classroom each day. I believe that I owe it
to my students, as well as the community, to bring consistency, diligence, and warmth to my job in the hope that I can
ultimately inspire and encourage such traits in the children as well."

More Samples of Philosophy of Education

My Philosophy of Education. My philosophy is student centered. I believe that every student is different with an
individual way of learning and their own set of needs and gifts that are brought to the classroom. ... The students should
learn from each other and learn to work together through cooperative learning.

Examples of Teaching Philosophy Statements

1. "My philosophy of education is that all children are unique and must have a stimulating educational environment
where they can grow physically, mentally, emotionally, and socially. It is my desire to create this type of atmosphere
where students can meet their full potential. I will provide a safe environment where students are invited to share their
ideas and take risks.

"I believe that there are five essential elements that are conducive to learning. (1) The teacher's role is to act as a guide.
(2) Students must have access to hands-on activities. (3) Students should be able to have choices and let their curiosity
direct their learning. (4) Students need the opportunity to practice skills in a safe environment. (5) Technology must be
incorporated into the school day."

2. "I believe that all children are unique and have something special that they can bring to their own education. I will
assist my students to express themselves and accept themselves for who they are, as well embrace the differences of
others.

"Every classroom has its own unique community; my role as the teacher will be to assist each child in developing their
own potential and learning styles. I will present a curriculum that will incorporate each different learning style, as well as
make the content relevant to the students' lives. I will incorporate hands-on learning, cooperative learning, projects,
themes, and individual work that engage and activate students learning."

3. "I believe that a teacher is morally obligated to enter the classroom with only the highest of expectations for each and
every one of her students. Thus, the teacher maximizes the positive benefits that naturally come along with any self-
fulfilling prophecy. With dedication, perseverance, and hard work, her students will rise to the occasion."

"I aim to bring an open mind, a positive attitude, and high expectations to the classroom each day. I believe that I owe it
to my students, as well as the community, to bring consistency, diligence, and warmth to my job in the hope that I can
ultimately inspire and encourage such traits in the children as well."

4. "I believe that a classroom should be a safe, caring community where children are free to speak their mind and
blossom and grow. I will use strategies to ensure our classroom community will flourish, like the morning meeting,
positive vs. negative discipline, classroom jobs, and problem-solving skills.

"Teaching is a process of learning from your students, colleagues, parents, and the community. This is a lifelong process
where you learn new strategies, new ideas, and new philosophies. Over time, my educational philosophy may change,
and that's okay. That just means that I have grown and learned new things."

Some Technicalities:
1. Size of Bond paper: A4, Font style Courier New, Font Size 12
2. Left Margin 1 ½ , Right, bottom and Upper Margins 1 inch
3. Line Spacing 1 ½
4. Write your name on the Upper left hand corner of the paper, below it the Name of the Course ; On the upper right
hand corner write Date Submitted and below it the Due Date.

DUE Date : December 2, 2019