TEACHING PHILOSOPHY

An educational philosophy statement or teaching philosophy statement is a brief essay that all nearly
prospective teachers are required to write. Vanderbilt University explains:

"A teaching (philosophy) statement is a purposeful and reflective essay about the author’s teaching
beliefs and practices. It is an individual narrative that includes not only one’s beliefs about the
teaching and learning process but also concrete examples of the ways in which he or she enacts these
beliefs in the classroom."

A well-crafted teaching statement gives a clear and unique portrait of the author as a teacher. Ohio
State University's Center for the Advancement of Teaching further explains that a teaching philosophy
statement is important because a clear philosophy of teaching can lead to a change in teaching
behavior and foster professional and personal growth.

Examples of Teaching Philosophy Statements

Sample 1

This passage is an example of a strong statement of teaching philosophy because it puts students
where they belong in education: at the front and center of a teacher's focus. An author who writes
such as a statement is likely to continuously examine and verify this philosophy by always ensuring
that student needs are the primary focus of all lessons and schoolwork.

"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."
Sample 2

The following statement is a good example of a teaching philosophy because the author emphasizes
that all classrooms, and indeed all students, are unique and have specific learning needs and styles. A
teacher with such a philosophy is likely to ensure that she spends time helping each student achieve
her highest potential.

"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."

Sample 3

This statement provides a solid example because the author emphasizes the moral objective of
teaching: that she will hold each student to the highest expectations and ensure that each one is
diligent in her studies. Implied in this statement is that the teacher will not give up on even a single
recalcitrant student.

"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."

Sample 4
The following statement takes a slightly different tack: Classrooms should be warm and caring
communities. Unlike the previous statements, this one minimizes the individuality of students and
emphasizes that, essentially, it take a village to foster truly community-based learning. All teaching
strategies then, such as morning meetings and community problem solving, follow this philosophy.

"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."

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.

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.

Formatting Your Statement

In addition to considering the type of teaching philosophy to write, Ohio State University offers some
general formatting suggestions. The Ohio State University Center for the Advancement of Teaching
states: