Higher Colleges of Technology – Fujairah

Education Division

My teaching philosophy

Submitted to: Dr. Jim Ishler

Student name: Duaa Abdelrahman

ID: H00252870
Teachers have their own philosophy, values, and beliefs about teaching and learning
processes. A philosophy of teaching statement is a self-reflective statement, which
describes what teachers believe in and provides examples of what teachers do in the
classroom to support their beliefs and values (Doyle, 2020). Additionally, it transfers
a professional image about teachers teaching and provides them with ways to
purposefully locate their teaching methods to articulate their teaching beliefs and
values to their students and colleagues (Hoover, 2017). A philosophy of teaching
statement covers three areas, which are methods, objectives and evaluation. It is a
document that should be changes and developed as the teachers teaching experiences
build (Doyle, 2020). In this teaching philosophy statement, I will discuss about my
beliefs on teaching, my objectives as a teacher and how I will achieve these
objectives. 

I believe that all children or students are unique and each one of them has a talent in
something. Based on my teaching practice experience, I learned that each student has
a special style of learning, which differs from others. Thus, my first objective is to
provide an appropriate learning environment and activities for all learning styles
where students can grow socially, mentally, emotionally and physically. However,
according to my MCTs (Monitor College Teachers) feedbacks, I need to make sure
that all students are participating and applying their learning styles during their
learning process. Moreover, they told me that I had to focus on the low achievers
because they need my support more than the higher achievers.

Also, I believe that students learn more by exploring what is around them by
themselves. Students need to have the opportunity to practice skills independently and
they should be allowed to make choices and decisions. This can be done through
implementing the inquiry-based learning approach. This approach refers to moving
students beyond general curiosity into critical thinking and understanding through
encouraging them to ask questions and allow them to investigate things by themselves
(Guido, 2017).

My second objective is building students' own confidence by preparing more

students-centered activities that allow them to work independently. Also, students
need to do something new during the course period in which they get that chance to
refresh their minds and make them feel excited about learning. This what we call
"learn for fun". This can be implemented through applying learning games during the
lessons. Based on my observation in the periods of my teaching practices, learning
games have a significant impact on enhancing students' diverse skills. Furthermore,
my third objective is learning by applying in reality. What I mean is to allow students
learn by observing and applying what they have learned in their real lives. This could
be done through taking the students to fieldtrips in which they experience what they
learned by exploring.

However, I will apply my first objective by creating a safe and attractive learning
environment that makes students feel enthusiastic about learning and providing
appropriate activities for each type of learning styles. For example showing them
videos, pictures and applying games that make them move. In addition, I will focus on
the low-level students and ensure dividing them appropriately based on their abilities
while working as groups in which they get the opportunity to benefit from other
students. For example, each group will consist of different capacities, low, high and
medium levels of students.

Regarding to my second objective, I will allow students spending their free time to
practice various things with their classmates. For example, if the students finished
their lesson early or if they had free time, I will allow them to make role-play related
to any topic of their curriculum. Based on my previous teaching practice, my MST
used to give the students a chance to choose their jobs (teacher, doctor, builder, seller
and policeman) and allow them to make a role play according to their choices. They
were able to build their self-confidence and develop cognitively, socially,
linguistically and physically by moving, talking and sharing ideas.

Also, I will achieve my third objective by planning a fieldtrip as part of the semester.
For example, if the students had a lesson about the life of marine animals. I will take
them to a place where there are marine animals and I will explain the lesson there and
allow them to observe everything in reality. Hence, it will be a trip for entertainment
and learning at the same time. 

Finally, achieving your teaching objectives is very important because this will allow
you to ensure your success as teacher. I believe that teachers need to consider the
objectives I mentioned, which are providing appropriate learning environment,
building students' own confidence, motivate students to learn, encourage their
independent learning and make them learn for fun. These objectives are powerful
components of any successful teaching and learning processes. However, what I am
planning to do in my future teaching are using more games in my lessons because I
feel certain that students learn better through playing.

Creating an appropriate and supportive leaning environment even if the classroom

was small like what I faced in my previous teaching practices, I will try to find
alternative way or place to implement my lessons such as the school yard or the
library. Additionally, I will try to take a permission from the school principal to take
the students in a trip to a place related to their curriculum, so they can refresh their
minds and feel excited to learn. Finally, I believe, that my plans, strategies and
methods will change and develop every time I practice teaching because of the new
experiences I will gain in each semester. 
Doyle, A. (2020, April 22). Interview question: "what is your teaching philosophy?".
The Balance Careers. Retrieved April, 20th, 2020, from
https://www.thebalancecareers.com/job-interview-answer-what-is-your-teaching-
philosophy-2063859.

Hoover, N. (2017, May 5). How to Write a Philosophy of Teaching Statement- -1

Tips, Template, and Samples. Owlcation. Retrieved April, 20th, 2020, from
https://owlcation.com/academia/Philosophy-of-Teaching-Statement-Template-and-
.Samples

Guido, M. (2017, January 19). What is inquiry-based learning: 7 benefits & strategies
you need to know. Prodigy. Retrieved April, 20th, 2020, from
https://www.prodigygame.com/blog/inquiry-based-learning-definition-benefits-
strategies/.