DON MARIANO MARCOS MEMORIAL STATE UNIVERSITY

NORTH LA UNION CAMPUS

Bacnotan, La Union, Philippines
College of Education
Email address: ce.nluc@dmmmsu.edu.ph
Telephone number : (63) (072) 242 – 11 – 17 loc. 242

Guide in Developing My Personal Philosophy of Teaching

What is personal philosophy of teaching?

A statement of teaching philosophy, or teaching statement, is a summation of

your teaching strategies, beliefs, and practices, along with concrete examples of the
ways those beliefs materialize in the learning environment, curriculum development,
and more. It is developed over the course of an educator’s career and experiences, and
it stays dynamic and “living” throughout their years in education.

What are the elements of a personal philosophy of teaching?

A philosophy of teaching describes your concept of teaching and learning, your

understanding of the learning process, your approach to facilitating successful learning,
your goals for your students, how you set them, and how you measure success. It also
describes your teaching methods and strategy, and your professional growth goals and
aspirations.

Other common elements of a personal teaching philosophy statement include:

• Your definition of good teaching — along with an explanation of why you define
it that way.

• In that same vein: how do you implement your version of good teaching? How do
you measure your effectiveness as a teacher?

• Who have you taught? Who are your students? What have their unique goals and
learning challenges taught you about teaching and learning?

• Your goals — what are your goals for improving your teaching?

What is an example of a philosophy of teaching?

Your philosophy of teaching should include an introduction, body, and a conclusion.

Introduction. What will your students take away from your class? How will your
guidance impact them? Discuss your general belief about education as well as your
ideals. For example, your introduction might read something like:

I believe that education is a right, not a privilege. Working in low-income districts has
revealed many gaps and cracks (in the curricula, community resources, and more) that
my students are more at risk of falling into. To prioritize inclusion and equity for my
students, I believe in engaging in deeper listening, intentional reflection, and
continuous growth. It is my role as an educator to support and motivate my students
to live authentically and courageously, to accept others despite the differences
between them, and to immerse themselves in learning more about the world they live
in — even though the world does not always make accommodations for them.

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Body. Describe the ideal classroom/learning environment. What makes it ideal? How
do you bring it to fruition? Clearly state your goals and objectives for students.

The ideal learning environment is endlessly engaging and fun. My curricula always
consist of hands-on, project-based learning. My classroom acts as a safe space for
students to express themselves, even when they’re struggling. To ensure that this
occurs, I commit to using only positive teaching rather than punishment and discipline,
being emotionally available to my students and weaving in emotional intelligence into
our lessons and developing and packaging a curriculum that is considerate and
representative of the diversity in the classroom and the community at large.

Conclusion. What are your goals as a teacher? What is your unique approach to reaching
these goals? End strong. Tell them what makes you stand out as an educator.

My goal as an educator has always been the same: Do right by my students. However,
how this materializes has evolved over the years. I make sure that my students
understand that I am their teacher — not their friend — but that teachers can be
mentors, guides, and trusted guardians. I foster relationships with each student so
that I can better understand their needs and teach and support them accordingly. I
promise to always take the time and effort to provide individual attention so that each
student can thrive.

How to describe your teaching style

If you’re having trouble concretely defining your personal teaching philosophy, try
asking some of these reflective questions for inspiration:

• Who of my teachers, professors, or mentors in education have inspired me? How?

• How do I approach situations in which a student is struggling or falling behind?
• To what standards do I hold myself and my students? How do I foster an inclusive
classroom environment and address diverse learning needs?
• What would my students, colleagues, or employers say about me and my teaching
style?
• What are my most successful (or memorable) teaching moments?

Why having a philosophy of teaching is important

Your personal teaching philosophy is important for both you and your students,
primarily because it guides your practices in the classroom in a very real way. For
employers, it provides context as to your teaching style and serves as a concrete way
to gauge whether or not you’re a good fit for their school or organization. But your
teaching philosophy also shapes how you inject your identity into your teaching, how
you put your values and beliefs into practice, and how you develop as a professional. It
also allows for and encourages continuous reflection, which is arguably the most
important element of teaching and learning.

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Guidelines for writing your philosophy of teaching

Although there are no hard-and-fast rules for formatting your statement of personal
teaching philosophy, there are generally agreed-upon guidelines to making your
statement have the most impact:

• Grab the reader’s attention from the start. It doesn’t have to be dry or stiff.
Make it your own.
• Keep it brief and concise.
• Write your statement from the first-person point of view — this is about you,
after all.
• Be authentic. Avoid using cliches about how passionate you are about teaching.
• Use concrete examples. Don’t just write about hypotheticals.
• Avoid using jargon and technical terms. It can be clunky in this context.
• Demonstrate your humility and willingness to learn from your students and
colleagues to improve and adapt throughout your teaching career.

General format for your philosophy of teaching

Name:
Cooperating Teacher:

(Your Own Title Here)

Long bond paper (8.5 inches x 13 inches)

Font style: Century Gothic
Font size: 10

The process of developing a philosophy of teaching is ongoing. Every teaching

experience and interaction with students and colleagues can impact your teaching
philosophy. The first version of your personal teaching philosophy statement may
not ring true years down the road, but that’s okay. Think of it as a reminder of how
you’re evolving in the ever-changing field of education. Good luck!

Molding Lives Beyond Borders

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